JEE Main 2024 — Structure Of Atom Question with Solution
From: JEE Main 2024 (Online) 30th January Morning Shift
Question
Given below are two statements :
Statement (I) : The orbitals having same energy are called as degenerate orbitals.
Statement (II) : In hydrogen atom, 3p and 3d orbitals are not degenerate orbitals.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :
Choose an option
Show full solutionCorrect option: A
Step-by-step explanation
Degenerate Orbitals: Orbitals that have the same energy are called degenerate orbitals.
Hydrogen-like Atoms (Single-Electron Systems): In a hydrogen atom (or any one-electron system), the energy of an orbital depends only on the principal quantum number , not on the azimuthal quantum number . Therefore, all orbitals with the same (e.g., 3s, 3p, 3d) have the same energy and are degenerate.
Multi-electron Atoms: In atoms with more than one electron, the energy also depends on (and other factors like screening), so 3s, 3p, and 3d orbitals are not all degenerate in multi-electron atoms.
Now, let us evaluate the given statements:
Statement (I): “The orbitals having same energy are called as degenerate orbitals.”
This statement is true by definition.
Statement (II): “In hydrogen atom, 3p and 3d orbitals are not degenerate orbitals.”
In a hydrogen atom, all orbitals with the same principal quantum number (like 3s, 3p, 3d) are degenerate.
Hence, this statement is false.
Therefore, the correct option is:
Option A: Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
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