Question

Though the five d – orbitals are degenerate, the first four d – orbitals are similar to each other in shape whereas the ffth d – orbital is different from others. What is the name of the fifth orbital?

• A. $d_{x^{2} - y^{2}}$
• B. $d_{z^{2}}$
• C. $d_{xz}$
• D. $d_{xy}$

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

$d_{z^{2}}$

Answer 2

The five d – orbitals are degenerate and have equal energy. The shape of first four orbitals is similar which are $d_{xy,}d_{yz,}d_{zx}d_{x^{2}} - y^{2}$ but the fifth one, $d_{z^{2}}$ has a different shape.