Question

What is the shape of the p-orbital, what ! value describes it and what range of me are available?

Answer 1

The shape of a p orbital is like bumbbell shape. i.e. a p orbital will contain two lobes, which will be just opposite in side.

The l value of any orbital represents the angular quantum number. This value basically decribes the shape of an orbital. For example, if the value is zero(0) i.e spherical shape. If the value is 1, i.e polar. If the value is 2, i.e. cloverleaf so on.

For the given p orbital the l value will be 1, so the shape of the orbital will be bumbbell, i.e polar shaped.

For a constant l value, the m_l value varies from -l to +l, as the l value for p orbital is 1. The m_l value will have a range from -1 to +1. There fore the values will be, +1, 0, -1.