The 2s and the 2p orbital energies of hydrogen atom are E_ 2s ( H ) and E_ 2p ( H ) , respectively. The 2s and the 2p orbital energies of lithium atom are E_ 2s ( Li ) and E_ 2p ( Li ) , respectively. The correct option(s) about the orbital energies is(are)

Step-by-step solution

For hydrogen atom (a single-electron system), the energy of an orbital depends only on the principal quantum number n . Thus, the 2s and 2p orbitals are degenerate. E_ 2s ( H ) = E_ 2p ( H ) For lithium atom (a multi-electron system), the energy depends on both n and l . Due to the penetration effect, the 2s electron penetrates closer to the nucleus and experiences a higher effective nuclear charge than the 2p electron. Thus, the 2s orbital has lower energy than the 2p orbital. E_ 2s ( Li ) The energy of an orbital