OCR A-Level Chemistry AS Breadth in chemistry (01), June 2024: Question 1

1 mark · Easy difficulty · Multiple Choice

Identify which diagram shows a p-orbital from a choice of four orbital shapes.

Practise this question

Question

Multiple choice question 1 asks 'Which diagram shows a p-orbital?'. A table presents four options labeled A to D, each with a shaded 3D diagram representing an orbital: option A shows a horizontal oval/ellipsoid, option B shows a single teardrop or lobe shape, option C shows a dumbbell shape with two lobes, and option D shows a sphere. An answer box is provided below.
Question text

1 Which diagram shows a p‑orbital?

A

B

C

D

Your answer [1]

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme The mark scheme indicates that the correct answer for question number 1 is C, worth 1 mark.

1 C 1

How to answer it

Identifying a p-Orbital from Diagrams

📌 What this question tests

This question assesses your knowledge of atomic structure, specifically the 3D shapes (electron probability distribution) of atomic orbitals, distinguishing clearly between s-orbitals and p-orbitals.

Question 1: Multiple Choice

Identifying the correct shape

✅ Correct Answer: C

Diagram C correctly shows a dumbbell-shaped p-orbital with two lobes.

💡 Key Knowledge

  • s-orbitals (Diagram D): Spherical in shape.
  • p-orbitals (Diagram C): Dumbbell-shaped with two lobes pointing along a specific axis (x, y, or z).
  • Diagram B shows a single lobe (incorrect), and Diagram A shows a flattened oval shape.

🧠 Exam Technique

For multiple-choice questions on atomic structure, eliminate options that represent the wrong orbital type immediately (e.g., cross out spheres when asked for p-orbitals).

❌ Common Errors

Students sometimes confuse spherical s-orbitals (option D) with the lobes of a p-orbital, or mistake incomplete diagrams (option B) for a valid orbital shape.

Mark breakdown: [1 mark total] Awarded for selecting letter C.

Topics

Module 2: Foundations in chemistry · 2.2 Electrons, bonding and structure

Question and mark scheme from the OCR A-Level Chemistry examination, AS Breadth in chemistry (01), June 2024. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.