Which orbital give an electron the greatest probability of being found close to the nucleus

Options

A. 3p
B. 3d
C. 3s
D. equal………….

Explanation

To determine which orbital gives an electron the greatest probability of being found close to the nucleus, we can analyze the characteristics of different types of orbitals: s, p, d, and f.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand Orbital Shapes**:
- Orbitals have different shapes that influence where an electron is likely to be found. The main types of orbitals are:
- **s orbitals**: Spherical shape.
- **p orbitals**: Dumbbell shape.
- **d and f orbitals**: More complex shapes.

2. **Identify the Characteristics of the s Orbital**:
- The s orbital is spherical, which means it has a uniform probability distribution around the nucleus. This shape allows electrons to be found at various distances from the nucleus, but with a significant probability of being very close to it.

3. **Consider the Size of Orbitals**:
- As we move to higher principal quantum numbers (n), the size of the orbitals increases. For example, the 3s orbital is larger than the 1s orbital. However, the 1s orbital, being the closest to the nucleus, has the highest probability density near the nucleus.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Among the orbitals, the **1s orbital** has the greatest probability of finding an electron close to the nucleus because it is the smallest and closest orbital to the nucleus. The spherical shape of the s orbital allows for a more uniform distribution of the electron density near the nucleus.

### Final Answer:
The orbital that gives an electron the greatest probability of being found close to the nucleus is the **1s orbital**.