Question

How do a 2\(p_{x}\) and a 2\(p_{y}\) orbital differ?

Short answer

2p_x and 2p_y orbitals differ in their orientation: 2p_x is along the x-axis, and 2p_y is along the y-axis.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Basic Structure of p Orbitals

p orbitals are dumbbell-shaped and they have different orientations in three-dimensional space. Each p orbital corresponds to a specific axis in a Cartesian coordinate system: the x-axis, y-axis, or z-axis.

Identify the 2p Orbitals

The 2p orbitals are a set of three orbitals, labeled as 2p_x, 2p_y, and 2p_z, which correspond to the three different axes.

Examine the 2p_x Orbital

The 2p_x orbital is aligned along the x-axis. It has two lobes that extend outwards on either side of the nucleus along the x-axis.

Examine the 2p_y Orbital

The 2p_y orbital is aligned along the y-axis. Similar to the 2p_x orbital, it has two lobes that extend outwards on either side of the nucleus but along the y-axis.

Compare the 2p_x and 2p_y Orbitals

The main difference between the 2p_x and 2p_y orbitals is their orientation in space. 2p_x is oriented along the x-axis, while 2p_y is oriented along the y-axis. Both have the same shape and energy level, only differing in their spatial orientation.

Key concepts

p orbitals

p orbitals are a type of atomic orbital present in atoms starting from the second energy level (n=2). They are characterized by their unique dumbbell shape. Unlike s orbitals, which are spherical, p orbitals are oriented in specific directions within three-dimensional space.

2p orbitals

The term '2p orbitals' refers to a set of three orbitals: 2p_x, 2p_y, and 2p_z. These designations indicate their alignment along the x, y, and z axes of the Cartesian coordinate system, respectively. All three 2p orbitals have the same energy level but are oriented differently in space.

orbital orientation

The orientation of p orbitals describes how they are positioned relative to the Cartesian coordinate system. For the 2p_x orbital, the lobes lie along the x-axis. For the 2p_y orbital, the lobes lie along the y-axis. The arrangement of these orbitals' lobes in space allows them to occupy different regions around the nucleus without overlapping.

Cartesian coordinate system

The Cartesian coordinate system is a three-dimensional plane defined by the x, y, and z axes. In chemistry, it helps visualize the spatial arrangement of atomic orbitals, including p orbitals. By using this system, we can clearly distinguish how each 2p orbital (2p_x, 2p_y, 2p_z) aligns itself along a specific axis.