NEETChemistryChemical Bonding and Molecular Structure
Why can't the 2p x or 2p y orbitals combine with the 2p z orbital of another atom?
Options
- AThey have different shapes.
- BThey have different electron configurations.
- CThey have the same symmetry.
- DThey have the same energy.
Correct answer
A. They have different shapes.
Step-by-step solution
The 2p x or 2p y orbitals cannot combine with the 2p z orbital of another atom because they have different symmetries.