Answer to Question #126491 in General Chemistry for Vidita

Question

(Atomic Orbital Models Question) Would it be possible for the electrons in the 2p orbitals to be inside the 2s orbital?

Answer 1

It is not possible for the electrons in the 2p orbitals to be inside the 2s orbital because the 2s orbital (n + l = 2) has a slightly lower energy than the 2p(n + l = 3) orbitals. That means that the 2s orbital will fill with electrons before the 2p orbitals.