Question

Shape of P-orbital is:
A. Spherical
B. dumb-Bell
C. Double dumb bell
D. None of these

Answer 1

To determine the shape of p-orbitals we should know the structure of the p-orbital and the number of lobes present in the p-orbital. P- subshell has three orbits. Three orbital shells are denoted as ${{\text{P}}_{\text{X}}}$,${{\text{P}}_{\text{Y}}}$, and ${{\text{P}}_{\text{Z}}}$.

Complete step-by-step solution: The number of orbitals in a subshell is determined by the following formula:
${\text{2l}}\,{\text{ + }}\,{\text{1}}$
Where,
${\text{l}}\,$ is the azimuthal quantum number.
The l value of p-orbital is $1$.
So,
${\text{2}} \times {\text{1}}\,{\text{ + }}\,{\text{1}}$
$3$
The P-subshell has three, ${{\text{P}}_{\text{X}}}$,${{\text{P}}_{\text{Y}}}$and ${{\text{P}}_{\text{Z}}}$orbitals. All these orbitals are degenerate. All orbitals of the p-subshell lie on the axis. So, the electron density of each orbital also lies on the axis. Each p-orbital has two lobes.
The positions of p-orbitals on the axis is represented as follows:

The positions of these three p-orbitals on the axis separately is represented as follows:

Name of each p-orbital depends upon the axis. The p-orbital which lies on the x-axis is known as ${{\text{P}}_{\text{x}}}$ orbital. The p-orbital which lies on the y-axis is known as ${{\text{P}}_{\text{Y}}}$ orbital. The p-orbital which lies on the z-axis is known as ${{\text{P}}_{\text{Z}}}$ orbital.
Each p-orbital has two lobes that are arranged like a dumb bell so, the shape of p–orbital is dumb bell.
So, the shape of P-orbital is dumb-Bell.

Therefore, option (B) dumb-Bell, is correct.

Note: The s-subshell has only one s-orbital. S-orbital has one lobe of spherical shape so, the shape of s-orbital is spherical. D-subshell has five d-orbitals. Out of five d-orbitals, two lie on the axis and three lie in between the axis. ${{\text{d}}_{{{\text{z}}^{\text{2}}}}}$and ${{\text{d}}_{{{\text{X}}^2} - {{\text{Y}}^{\text{2}}}}}$orbitals which lies on the axis and the ${{\text{d}}_{XZ}}$,${{\text{d}}_{YZ}}$, and ${{\text{d}}_{XY}}$ lies in between the axis. Except ${{\text{d}}_{{{\text{z}}^{\text{2}}}}}$all d-orbital has four lobes so, the shape of d-orbital is double dumb bell.