Question #a2203
1 Answer
Jun 2, 2014
Yes.
The orbital is simply the region of space in which there is a certain probability, e.g. 95%, of finding that electron, and there is certainly a finite probability that a 2p electron for example will spend some of its time closer to the nucleus than a 2s electron since both are moving randomly "within" their orbitals.
However, the 2s electron ON a AVERAGE will spend its time closer to the nucleus than the 2p, which is why 2s has a more negative energy i.e. Is a lower energy sub shell.
