Question

Compare and contrast the four different electron orbital levels (s, p, d, and f).

A. S orbital is the smallest and can hold 2 electrons; p orbital has 3 orientations and can hold 6 electrons; d orbital can hold 10 electrons; f orbital is the largest and can hold 14 electrons.
B. S orbital can hold 6 electrons; p orbital has 1 orientation and can hold 2 electrons; d orbital has 3 orientations and can hold 10 electrons; f orbital can hold 14 electrons.
C. S orbital is the largest and can hold 14 electrons; p orbital has 2 orientations and can hold 8 electrons; d orbital can hold 6 electrons; f orbital is the smallest and can hold 2 electrons.
D. S orbital has 3 orientations and can hold 10 electrons; p orbital can hold 6 electrons; d orbital is the smallest and can hold 2 electrons; f orbital is the largest and can hold 14 electrons.

Answer 1

Regarding the four different electron orbital levels (s, p, d, and f), a) "S orbital is the smallest and can hold 2 electrons; p orbital has 3 orientations and can hold 6 electrons; d orbital can hold 10 electrons; f orbital is the largest and can hold 14 electrons."

Step-by-step explanation:

We're comparing and contrasting the four different electron orbital levels: s, p, d, and f. Option A correctly explains the characteristics of each orbital:

• The s orbital is the simplest, with a spherical shape. It contains 1 orbital that can hold 2 electrons.
• The p orbital has a dum/bbell shape with 3 orientations or orbitals, and can hold a total of 6 electrons, 2 in each orbital.
• The d orbital is more complex, containing 5 orbitals and can hold up to 10 electrons, 2 in each orbital.
• The f orbital is the most complex with 7 orbitals, allowing it to hold up to 14 electrons, 2 in each orbital.

Remember, as the principal quantum number (n) increases, the number of electrons and orbitals in the energy levels also increases. This progress is important to determine the electron structure in the periodic table, filling the orbitals in accordance with Hund's rules and the Pauli exclusion principle. Each orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons with opposite spins.