Chemistry Q52 – JEE-MAIN 2026

Home Chemistry Structure of AtomQuestion #606

Which of the following statement(s) is/are true ? A. If two orbitals have the same value of

(n + l)

, the orbital with lower value of

n

will have lower energy. B. Energies of the orbitals in the same subshell increase with increase in atomic number. C. The size of

2 p_{x}

orbital is less than the size of

3 p_{x}

orbital. D. Among

5 f, 6 s, 4 d, 5 p

and

5 d

orbitals, none of the orbitals have 2 radial nodes. Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

Clue 1 of 3: Quantum Numbers and Orbital Properties

Recall the significance of principal quantum number ( $n$ ) and azimuthal quantum number ( $l$ ) in determining orbital energy, size, and number of nodes.

🧠 Full Solution Path

Step 1: Analyze Statement A (Energy based on n+l rule)✦ Active

According to the $(n + l)$ rule, for orbitals with the same $(n + l)$ value, the orbital with a lower principal quantum number ( $n$ ) has lower energy. This statement is consistent with the Aufbau principle for multi-electron atoms. For example, $3 d$ ( $n = 3, l = 2 ⟹ n + l = 5$ ) has lower energy than $4 p$ ( $n = 4, l = 1 ⟹ n + l = 5$ ). Therefore, statement A is TRUE.

Step 2: Analyze Statements B, C, and D (Orbital properties)○ Expand

Statement B (Orbital energy and atomic number): As the atomic number (Z) increases, the nuclear charge increases, leading to a stronger attraction for electrons and thus *decreasing* the energy of the orbitals. So, statement B is FALSE.

Statement C (Orbital size and principal quantum number): The size of an orbital increases with an increase in the principal quantum number ( $n$ ). Therefore, a $2 p_{x}$ orbital is smaller than a $3 p_{x}$ orbital. So, statement C is TRUE.

Statement D (Radial nodes): The number of radial nodes for an orbital is given by $n - l - 1$ . For $5 f (n = 5, l = 3)$ , radial nodes = $1$ . For $6 s (n = 6, l = 0)$ , radial nodes = $5$ . For $4 d (n = 4, l = 2)$ , radial nodes = $1$ . For $5 p (n = 5, l = 1)$ , radial nodes = $3$ . For $5 d (n = 5, l = 2)$ , radial nodes = $2$ . Since the $5 d$ orbital has 2 radial nodes, the statement 'none of the orbitals have 2 radial nodes' is FALSE.

💡 Teacher's Secret Hint

Remember the formula for radial nodes: $n - l - 1$ .

Step 3: Identify Correct Option○ Expand

Based on the analysis, statements A and C are true, while B and D are false. The option that correctly identifies A and C as true is 'A and C only'.

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Chemistry Question 52 – JEE-MAIN 2026

Clue 1 of 3: Quantum Numbers and Orbital Properties

🧠 Full Solution Path