Question

Which of the following sets of orbitals are degenerate and why?

(i) 1s, 2s and 3s in Mg− atom

(ii) 2p_x, 2p_y and 2p_z in c− atom

(iii) 3s 3p_x and 3d orbitals in H-atom

Answer 1

(i) 1s, 2s and 3s-orbitals in Mg-atom are not degenerate orbitals because principal quantum number (n) of these orbitals is different.

(ii) 2px, 2py and 2pz in C − atom are not degenerate orbitals because these orbitals belong to same subshell (i.e. 2p)

(iii) 3s, 3p_x, and 3d orbitals in H-atom are degenerate because for H-atom, the subshells having same value of n have same energies.