Which types of electron orbitals will have higher energy than a 4d orbital? A) 4p

B) 3s

C) 5s

D) 4f

D) 4f

Explanation:

To determine which electron orbital that will have higher energy than a 4d orbital, we write the electron configuration starting with s-orbital.

1s

2s         2p

3s         3p          3d       3f

4s         4p          4d       4f

5s         5p           5d       5f

6s         6p          6d       6f

7s         7p           7d       7f

In ascending order, 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 3f, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, 5f, 6d, 7p, 6f, 7d, 7f.

From the electronic configuration formula above, the electron orbitals that have higher energy than a 4d orbital are 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, 5f, 6d, 7p, 6f, 7d, 7f.

Therefore, 4f is the correct answer.