The 3s orbital experiences the highest effective nuclear charge. Because s-orbitals are spherical and have a higher penetration power (ability to get closer to the nucleus) than p or d orbitals, electrons in a 3s orbital are less shielded by inner core electrons.
Which orbital faces highest effective nuclear charge? 3s, 3p, 3d, None of these
Review the verified answer and explanation for this FPSC Federal Public Service Commission past-paper question on CampusFin.
Question context
This question is part of ⚗️ Chemical Engineering within the broader 🛠️ Engineering Essentials subject and appears in the FPSC Federal Public Service Commission preparation collection. Reviewing the answer together with nearby questions helps reinforce the underlying concept and identify how it may appear in competitive exams.