Question

The orbital of 2p electrons are often represented as being?
(answer is C) explain why?
a.elliptical
b.tetrahedral
c.dumbbell shaped
d.spherical

Answer 1

Initially:

there is "S"

which is simply a sphere, i.e like a cloud

then

comes "P" electrons which are ---> 2px 2py 2pz

the only array possible is x,y,z axis for each lobe

note that each electron will form a lobe

so

As you can see, there is a "dumbbell" shape in the orbital, each bein 2pi where i is either x,y,z