Shapes of Orbitals

Shapes of Orbitals MDCAT MCQs with answers

9 past paper MCQs on Shapes of Orbitals, from the Atomic Structure unit of MDCAT Chemistry. The year each question appeared is shown where known; tap “Show answer” for the correct option and a short solution.

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1.The p orbital has: (MDCAT 2024)

  1. 2 lobes
  2. 3 lobes
  3. 4 lobes
  4. 5 lobes
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Correct answer: (a) 2 lobes

A p orbital is dumb-bell shaped, with two lobes on either side of the nucleus.

2.The maximum probability of finding an electron is at a distance of: (SIBA MDCAT 2025)

  1. 0.53 nm
  2. 0.35 nm
  3. 0.053 nm
  4. 0.0053 nm
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Correct answer: (c) 0.053 nm

The most probable distance of the electron of a hydrogen atom is the Bohr radius, $0.053\,\mathrm{nm}$.

3.Which atom has at least single electron in dumbell shape orbital? (SIBA MDCAT 2025)

  1. H
  2. He
  3. Li
  4. B
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Correct answer: (d) B

The p orbital is dumb-bell shaped, and boron is the first of these with an electron in one.

4.According to which scientist, the probability of finding an electron at a certain position is possible? (UHS MDCAT 2023)

  1. Bohr's
  2. De-Broglie
  3. Hund's
  4. Schrodinger
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Correct answer: (d) Schrodinger

Schrodinger’s wave equation gives the probability of finding the electron in a region of space.

5.Total number of directions of f-orbitals in space are: (NUMS MDCAT 2023)

  1. 05
  2. 03
  3. 07
  4. 06
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Correct answer: (c) 07

There are seven f orbitals in a subshell.

6.Which principle contradicts the Bohr’s model? (PMC MDCAT 2022)

  1. Planck quantum theory
  2. Hunds rule
  3. Pauli's exclusion principle
  4. Heisenberg's uncertainty principle
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Correct answer: (d) Heisenberg's uncertainty principle

Bohr gave the electron a definite orbit and speed, which the uncertainty principle forbids.

7.What is the shape of s-orbital ? (PMC MDCAT 2022)

  1. Lobed
  2. Spherical
  3. Dumbbell
  4. Sausage
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Correct answer: (b) Spherical

An s orbital is spherical about the nucleus.

8.How do the ‘p’ orbitals px, py, pz differ from each other? (PMC Practice 2021)

  1. Size
  2. Shape
  3. Orientation
  4. Capacity
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Correct answer: (c) Orientation

The three p orbitals are alike in size and shape and differ only in the axis they lie along.

9.The shape of s-orbital is ______ and the shape of p-orbital is _______. (UHS MDCAT 2017)

  1. Spherical, dumb-bell
  2. Dumb-bell, spherical
  3. Spherical, double dumb-bell
  4. Spherical, spherical
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Correct answer: (a) Spherical, dumb-bell

An s orbital is spherical and a p orbital dumb-bell shaped.

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