What is the maximum number of electrons that can occupy a single p orbital?

• A. 3
• B. 2
• C. 1
• D. 6

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that each atomic orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons due to the Pauli exclusion principle, which states that no two electrons in an atom can have the same set of four quantum numbers.
2. Understand that a p orbital is one of the three degenerate orbitals (px, py, pz) within a p subshell, each with a specific orientation in space.
3. Recognize that each individual p orbital can hold up to two electrons, each with opposite spins (spin quantum number +1/2 and -1/2).
4. Note that while the entire p subshell (which contains three p orbitals) can hold up to six electrons in total, the question asks about a single p orbital, not the whole subshell.
5. Therefore, conclude that the maximum number of electrons that can occupy a single p orbital is two.