Which type of atomic orbitals can be modeled as dumbbell shaped?

• A. f orbitals
• B. p orbitals
• C. d orbitals
• D. s orbitals

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the shapes of the different atomic orbitals: s orbitals are spherical, p orbitals are dumbbell-shaped, d orbitals have more complex cloverleaf shapes, and f orbitals are even more complex.
2. Understand that the shape of an orbital describes the region in space where there is a high probability of finding an electron.
3. Identify that the dumbbell shape is characteristic of p orbitals, which have two lobes on opposite sides of the nucleus.
4. Note that s orbitals are spherical and do not resemble a dumbbell, while d and f orbitals have more complicated shapes with multiple lobes.
5. Conclude that among the given options, p orbitals are the ones that can be modeled as dumbbell-shaped.