Question

Which statement regarding an orbital is true?

• A. There are three lobes in the $d$ orbitals.
• B. There are four sets of $p$ orbitals.
• C. $\mathrm{K},\mathrm{L},\mathrm{M},\mathrm{N}$ indicate the shells.
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is C

$\mathrm{K},\mathrm{L},\mathrm{M},\mathrm{N}$ indicate the shells.

Explanation for correct option

(C) $\mathbf{K}\mathbf{,}\mathbf{L}\mathbf{,}\mathbf{M}\mathbf{,}\mathbf{N}$ indicate the shells

Shells

• Electrons are arranged into sets called shells based on their energy.
• Shells are further subdivided into electron subsets known as subshells.

$\mathbf{K}\mathbf{,}\mathbf{L}\mathbf{,}\mathbf{M}\mathbf{,}\mathbf{N}$

• The number of electrons an atom has with each principal quantum number is shown by the $\mathrm{K},\mathrm{L},\mathrm{M},\mathrm{N}$ notation.
• Since there is only one $s$-subshell in the $\mathrm{K}$ shell, there can only be a maximum of $2$ electrons.
• The $\mathrm{L}$ shell can have a maximum of $8$ electrons since it has two $s$ and two $p$ subshells.
• With three $s,p,$ and d subshells in the $\mathrm{M}$ shell, there can be a maximum of $18$ electrons.
• The $\mathrm{N}$ shell may hold a maximum of $32$ electrons since it contains $s,p,d$ and $f$ subshells.

Explanation for incorrect options

(A) There are three lobes in the $d$ orbitals.

• Generally, $d$-orbital has four lobes and two nodal planes.

(B) There are four sets of $p$ orbitals

• The $p$ orbital has three sets, $p_x,p_y,p_z$.

(D) None of the above

• Statement (c) is correct
• Hence, option (D) is incorrect.

Therefore, the correct option is (C) $\mathbf{K}\mathbf{,}\mathbf{L}\mathbf{,}\mathbf{M}\mathbf{,}\mathbf{N}$ indicates the shells.