s- electrons vs p- electrons [ENDORSED]

[MichelleTran3I]

Can someone explain to me why s- electrons have lower energy than p-electrons in the same shell? Thanks!

[Johann Park 2B]

In many-electron atoms, electron-electron repulsion causes increasing orbitals to be increasing in energy (because electrons in "greater" orbitals are shielded from the full attraction of the nucleus & we know that when electrons are more strongly attracted to the nucleus, they are lower in energy). Also, s-electrons of any shell can penetrate through inner shells, while p-electrons penetrate much less.

In summary, s-orbital electrons are more tightly bound to the nucleus (shielding/penetration), and are therefore lower in energy than p-orbital electrons.

[Golbarg Rahimi 3k]

Basically, the s orbitals have fewer electrons standing between them and the nucleus, therefore, they are less shielded. The p orbitals are more shielded than the s orbitals of the same shell.that is why p orbitals have higher energy.

[Josh Moy 1H]

It's because of the less shielding

[Swetha Sundaram 1E]

From what I understand the further the atoms the electrons are from the nucleus, the more energy they have.

[Ethan Mondell 1A]

For the most part it really just has to do with proximity to the nucleus. Closer the nucleus, more attraction between protons and electrons, lower energy.

[804899546]

Then how come even when the 4s orbitals are filled first, they still have a higher energy than the 3d orbital, hence why we write 3d before 4s?

[Humza_Khan_2J]

As for why the 4s has more energy than 3d, this is simply because it's in a higher energy shell. A higher n implies a higher energy level.