Question

The. five $d$-orbitals are designated as $d_{x y}, d_{y z}, d_{x z}, d_{x^{2}-y^{2}}$ and $d_{z^{2}}$. Choose the correct statement.

• A. The shapes of the first three orbitals are similar but that of the fourth and fifth orbitals are different.
• B. The shapes of all five d-orbitals are similar
• C. The shapes of the first four orbitals are similar but that of the fifth orbital is different
• D. The shapes of all five d-orbitals are different

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

The shape of fifth $d$-orbital is different. First four orbitals contain $4$ lobes, but fifth orbital contains $ 2$ lobes. The lobes of $d_{x y}$ orbital lie between $x$ and $y$ axes.
The lobes of $d_{y z}$ and $d_{x z}$ also lie between $y, z$ and $x, z$ axes respectively.
Four lobes of $d_{x^{2}-y^{2}}$ lie along $x$ and $y$ axes while $2$ lobes of $d z^{2}$ lie along $z$ axis.