Question

How many atomic orbitals does carbon access?

Answer 1

We need to remember that the carbon, by mass after hydrogen, helium, and oxygen, is the 15th most abundant element in the Earth's crust, and the fourth most abundant element in the universe. The abundance of carbon, its unique variety of organic compounds, and its unusual ability to form polymers at the temperatures typically found on Earth make it possible for this element to act as a common component of all known life.
As we know that an atomic orbital is a mathematical feature in atomic theory and quantum mechanics that describes the position and wavelike behaviour of an electron in an atom. This function can be used to determine the likelihood of having any electron of an atom in any particular area around the nucleus of the atom.

Complete step by step answer:
We need to remember that an element's electron configuration defines how the electrons in its atomic orbitals are distributed. Electron atom configurations follow a standard notation in which all atomic subshells containing electrons are put in a series (with the number of electrons they possess written in superscript).
An atomic orbital is a mathematical feature in atomic theory and quantum mechanics that describes the position and wavelike behaviour of an electron in an atom. This function can be used to measure the likelihood of having any atom's electron in any particular area around the nucleus of the atom.
Electronic configuration of carbon is
$1{s^2}2{s^2}2{p^2}$
There are
Two s-orbitals $\left( {1s,2s} \right)$
Two incompletely filled p-orbitals $\left( {2p - 1,2p + 1} \right)$
One vacant p-orbital $\left( {2p0} \right)$

Note:
A 2s orbital is similar to an orbital of 1s, but within the outer sphere it has a sphere of electron density, like one tennis ball inside another. There is a surface between the two balls where the chance of finding an electron is zero. A node or a nodal surface is what we call this surface.
Not all electrons have orbital occupants. The only orbital available to electrons at the first energy level is the orbital of 1s. However, in addition to the orbital 2s, there are also orbitals called 2p orbitals at the second stage. Unlike an orbital of s, an orbital of p points in a specific direction.