Question

Which orbital gives an electron the greatest probability of being found close to the nucleus?

• A. $3p$
• B. $3d$
• C. $3s$
• D. Equal

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

The orbital with lower value of $(n+l)$ has lower energy and is close to the nucleus. Among $3s(3+0=3),3p(3+1=4)$ and $3d(3+2=5)$ orbitals, 3s has lower value of $(n+l)$ , thus, it is close to the nucleus and provide a higher probability to the electron of being found close to the nucleus.