How does a 2s orbital differ from a 2p orbital?

1 Answer
Jul 28, 2014

The 2 s and 2 p orbitals differ in shape, number, and energy. A 2 s orbital is spherical, and there is only one of them. A 2 p orbital is dumbbell-shaped, and there are three of them oriented on the x, y, and z axes. The 2 p orbitals have higher energy than the 2 s orbital.