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What are the S orbital and p orbital?

Updated: 5/22/2024
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15y ago

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Atoms used to be thought to look like little solar systems. Now they are thought to be nesting shells of probability density functions known as orbitals. The S1 and P1 orbitals are the first two filled with other S and P orbitals following along with the various D and F orbitals. The S orbitals are essentially spheres with the P orbitals looking like infinity signs.

Aside: A probability density function maps out where the electron is most likely to be in relation to the nucleus of the atom - not that it is there, just likely to be.

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15y ago
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2w ago

S orbitals are spherical in shape and can hold up to 2 electrons. They are found closest to the nucleus in an atom. On the other hand, p orbitals are dumbbell-shaped and come in sets of three, each oriented along the x, y, and z axes. Each p orbital can hold up to 6 electrons.

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13y ago

s and p relate to the orbit where the electron most likely is. s orbitals tend to be spherically symmetric around the nucleus, whereas p orbitals would look like two identical balloons tethered at the nucleus.

The s and p orbitals are further classified by the addition of a number, so for example the 1s orbital is closer to the nucleus then the 3s and so on

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11y ago

An s-orbital is spherically symmetric. There are three p orbitals which are at right angles to one another and are called the px, py and pz .

Each orbital can ONLY hold a maximum of two electrons ( Pauli's exclusion principle), these two electrons have opposite spins.

For each principal quantum number n (sometimes called the shell) there is just one

s-orbital (eg 1s, 2s, 3s etc) and for principal quantum numbers 2 and above three p orbitals.,(2px, 2py, 2pz, 3px, 3py, 3pz etc)

The energy sequence low to high is

1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 3d, 4s, 4p, 4d, 4f etc.

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10y ago

The S orbital is spherical (s for sphere). The p orbital looks like an infinity sign (or an 8), with the crossover, being the nucleus). The p orbital is often described as dumbbell shaped.

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Q: What are the S orbital and p orbital?
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Why is the s orbital fill before the p orbital?

The s orbital fills before the p orbital because it has lower energy, and is more stable.


What is the Fullform of s-orbital p-orbital d-orbital and f-orbital?

The orbital names s, p, d, and fstand for names given to groups of lines in the spectra of the alkali metals. These line groups are called sharp, principal, diffuse, and fundamental.


What does the s orbital fill before the p orbitals?

The s orbital fills before the p orbitals because it has lower energy. This means that electrons will fill up the s orbital before moving to the higher energy p orbitals in the electronic configuration of an atom.


Combination of one s orbital with one p orbital?

The combination of one s orbital with one p orbital forms a hybridized sp orbital. This hybridization occurs when an s orbital and a p orbital mix to create two equivalent sp orbitals that are linear in shape. The sp hybrid orbitals have 50% s character and 50% p character.


Whose electron affinite is large s orbital or p?

s-orbital more affinity to electrons than p when 'empty'


Why does the s orbital before the p orbitals?

The s orbital is lower in energy than the porbital.


Why does the s orbital fill before the p orbital?

It has a lower energy level. All else being equal, electrons tend to go into the lowest energy orbital with space available.


What types of atomic orbitals are in the second principal energy level?

An s orbital


Hybrid orbital with least s character is?

The hybrid orbital with the least s character is the sp3 hybrid orbital, which consists of 25% s character and 75% p character. This hybridization occurs when an atom combines one s orbital with three p orbitals to form four equivalent sp3 hybrid orbitals.


Why does the s orbital fill before the p orbitals?

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Are the s and p orbitals of the noble gases are always empty?

Yes, the s and p orbitals of noble gases are typically filled with electrons in their ground state configuration, making them stable and unreactive.


When an s orbital hybridizes with one p orbital what is the angle between the resulting orbitals?

The angle between an s and a p orbital in sp hybridization is 180 degrees, forming linear geometry. This hybridization involves mixing one s orbital with one p orbital to create two sp hybrids.