Which one of the following orbitals is spherical in shape ?

Options

A. 4s
B. 3p-oribital
C. 3d
D. 4f

Answer

To determine which orbital is spherical in shape, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Quantum Numbers**: The shape of an orbital is defined by the angular momentum quantum number (L). The possible values of L correspond to different types of orbitals:
- L = 0 corresponds to the S orbital
- L = 1 corresponds to the P orbital
- L = 2 corresponds to the D orbital
- L = 3 corresponds to the F orbital

2. **Identify the Shape of Each Orbital**:
- **S Orbital (L = 0)**: This orbital is spherical in shape.
- **P Orbital (L = 1)**: This orbital has a dumbbell shape.
- **D Orbital (L = 2)**: This orbital has a more complex shape, often described as cloverleaf.
- **F Orbital (L = 3)**: This orbital also has a complex shape.

3. **Conclusion**: Since we are looking for the orbital that is spherical in shape, we can conclude that the S orbital is the only one that fits this description.

4. **Final Answer**: The orbital that is spherical in shape is the **S orbital**.