In a homonuclear molecule which of the following set of orbitals are degenerate ?

Options

A. `sigma 1s ` and ` sigma 2 s `
B. `pi p_(x)` and `pi 2p_(y)`
C. `pi 2 p_(x)` and `sigma 2p_(z)`
D. `sigma 2 p_(x) ` and `sigma 2p_(z)`

Answer

B

Explanation

Orbitals of nearly equal energy are called degenerated orbitals. As, energy of,
a .` rho 2s gt rho 1s ` b. `pi 2p_(x) ~~ 2p_(y)`
`pi 2p_(x) lt rho 2 p_(z)` d . `rho 2p_(x) lt rho 2p_(z)`
Thus, only `pi 2p_(x)` and `pi 2p_(y)` are degenerate orbitals