Question

what are s,p,d,f orbitals?

Answer 1

The simple names s orbital, p orbital, d orbital and f orbital refer to orbitals with angular momentum quantum number ℓ = 0, 1, 2 and 3 respectively. These names, together with the value of n, are used to describe the electron configurations of atoms. They are derived from the description by early spectroscopists of certain series of alkali metal spectroscopic lines as sharp, principal, diffuse, and fundamental.

Answer 2

The long form of periodic table is devided into four blocks. The four blocks are-

1. s block
2. p block
3. d block
4. f block

This division is based upon the subshell to which the last electron enters.

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s-block:

Valence of the shell configuration is ${ns}^{1}$ for alkali metals.

${ns}^{2}$ for alkaline earth metals.

• The s-block elements belong to group 1 and 2 of periodic table.

p-block

These elements belong to group 13 and 18.

The outer most electron configuration varies from ${ns}^{?} {np}^{1}$ to

${ns}^{2} {np}^{6}$

d-block elememts

The electron enters (n-1)d subshell.

outer most cells are next inner and are incomplete.

Electronic configuration varies from

${(n - 1)d}^{1 \: to \: 10} {ns}^{1 \: or2}$

f-block elements

Differentiating electron entres (n-2)f subshell

Electronic configuration is ${(n - 2)f}^{1 \: to14} {(n - 1)d}^{0 \: or1} {ns}^{2}$