Which orbital is non-directional

Options

A. s
B. p
C. d
D. All of these

Explanation

To determine which orbital is non-directional, we can analyze the characteristics of different types of orbitals: s, p, and d orbitals.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Orbital Shapes**:
- Orbitals are regions in an atom where there is a high probability of finding electrons. They have different shapes and orientations.

2. **Analyzing the S Orbital**:
- The s orbital is spherical in shape. This means that the electron density is distributed evenly in all directions from the nucleus.
- Since the electron density does not favor any particular direction, the s orbital is considered non-directional.

3. **Analyzing the P Orbitals**:
- P orbitals have a dumbbell shape and come in three types: Px, Py, and Pz.
- Each of these orbitals has a specific orientation:
- Px is oriented along the x-axis,
- Py is oriented along the y-axis,
- Pz is oriented along the z-axis.
- Because the electron density in p orbitals is directed along specific axes, they are considered directional.

4. **Analyzing the D Orbitals**:
- D orbitals are more complex and consist of five different shapes.
- Some d orbitals (like dxy, dyz, and dxz) are oriented between the axes, while others (like dz² and dx²-y²) have specific orientations along the axes.
- Since the electron density in d orbitals also has specific directions, they are also considered directional.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the analysis, the only orbital that is non-directional is the **s orbital**.
- Therefore, the correct answer is that the s orbital is non-directional.

### Final Answer:
The orbital that is non-directional is the **s orbital**.