Question

What do you mean by degenerate orbitals? Give examples.

Answer 1

1. A mathematical function that describes the wave-like character of an electron is called an orbital.
2. The degenerate orbitals are defined as the electron orbitals which have equal energy.
3. The $\text{'}\mathrm{p}\text{'}$ orbital consists of three orbitals and they are ${\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{x}},{\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{y}}$ and ${\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{z}}$.
4. All these $\text{'}\mathrm{p}\text{'}$ orbitals have equal energy and they belong to the same $\text{'}\mathrm{p}\text{'}$ orbital. Hence ${\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{x}},{\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{y}}$ and ${\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{z}}$ are degenerate orbitals.