Verified Solution • 2025–26 Session moderate

QJEEM24Ch35e6: JEE Main 2024 Chemistry - Class 11 JEEM24Ch35e6 Solution: Given below are two statements : Statement (I) : The orbitals…

Given below are two statements :

Statement (I) : The orbitals having same energy are called as degenerate orbitals.

Statement (II) : In hydrogen atom, 3p and 3d orbitals are not degenerate orbitals.

In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

Multiple Choice Options

  • A Statement I is true but Statement II is false
  • B Statement I is false but Statement II is true
  • C Both Statement I and Statement II are false
  • D Both Statement I and Statement II are true

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

Degenerate Orbitals: Orbitals that have the same energy are called degenerate orbitals.

Hydrogen-like Atoms (Single-Electron Systems): In a hydrogen atom (or any one-electron system), the energy of an orbital depends only on the principal quantum number nn , not on the azimuthal quantum number ll . Therefore, all orbitals with the same nn (e.g., 3s, 3p, 3d) have the same energy and are degenerate.

Multi-electron Atoms: In atoms with more than one electron, the energy also depends on ll (and other factors like screening), so 3s, 3p, and 3d orbitals are not all degenerate in multi-electron atoms.

Now, let us evaluate the given statements:

Statement (I): “The orbitals having same energy are called as degenerate orbitals.”

This statement is true by definition.

Statement (II): “In hydrogen atom, 3p and 3d orbitals are not degenerate orbitals.”

In a hydrogen atom, all orbitals with the same principal quantum number nn (like 3s, 3p, 3d) are degenerate.

Hence, this statement is false.

Therefore, the correct option is:

Option A: Statement I is true but Statement II is false.

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