A p-orbital can accommodate

Options

A. 4 electrons
B. 6 electrons
C. 2 electrons with parallel spins
D. 2 electrons with opposite spins.

Answer

To determine how many electrons a p-orbital can accommodate, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the concept of orbitals
- Orbitals are regions in an atom where there is a high probability of finding electrons. Each type of orbital (s, p, d, f) has a specific shape and capacity for electrons.

### Step 2: Identify the characteristics of p-orbitals
- P-orbitals are one of the types of orbitals found in an atom. They come in sets of three (px, py, pz) and have a specific shape (dumbbell-shaped).

### Step 3: Determine the maximum number of electrons in a single p-orbital
- Each orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons. These two electrons must have opposite spins (one with spin up and one with spin down).

### Step 4: Calculate the total capacity of p-orbitals
- Since there are three p-orbitals (px, py, pz), the total number of electrons that can be accommodated in all three p-orbitals is:
- 3 orbitals × 2 electrons/orbital = 6 electrons.

### Step 5: Answer the question
- The question specifically asks about a single p-orbital, which can accommodate a maximum of 2 electrons.

### Final Answer:
A p-orbital can accommodate **2 electrons**.

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