Question

how is dz2 orbital different from dx2-y2 orbital?​

Answer 1

dx2-y2 and dz2 also differ in their orientations. In dx2-y2 orbital , all the four lobes lie on the co-ordinate axes. In dz2 orbital , there are 2 lobes which lie on the z-axis i.e. one lobe on the +ve z-axis and other on the -ve z-axis.

Answer 2

Here is the answer for your question