Question

Identify the orbital that has n = 5 and l = 1

Answer 1

An electron with n = 5 and l = 1 resides in a 5p orbital, characterized by its d.u.m.bbell shape and fifth energy level.

Step-by-step explanation:

This can be determined by the following rules:

• The principal quantum number (n) represents the energy level of the electron.
• The angular momentum quantum number (l) represents the shape of the orbital.

For a 5p orbital, the electron is in the fifth energy level and has a d.u.m.b.bell shape with two lobes. The lobes can be oriented in the x, y, or z direction, which is why there are three 5p orbitals: 5px, 5py, and 5pz.

The image shows the 3p orbitals, but the same principles apply to the 5p orbitals. The 3p orbitals are shown as two lobes with opposite signs, which is one way to represent the d.u.m.bbell shape.

Correct answer: 5p orbital.