How Many Orbitals Does Carbon Have?

Answer: Carbon has a total of 5 orbitals.

Explanation: Orbitals are regions within an electron shell where electrons are most likely to be found. Carbon (C), with an electron configuration of 1s² 2s² 2p², has a total of 3 orbitals:

• 1 orbital in the 1s subshell
• 1 orbital in the 2s subshell
• 3 orbitals in the 2p subshell

But the 2p subshell has only one electron each in the 2p_x and 2p_y orbitals. Carbon has no electrons in its 2p_z orbital. The p orbitals come in three orientations: 2p_x, 2p_y, and 2p_z.

Read: Orbital Diagram for Carbon (C)

Try the Orbital Diagram Calculator and get instant results for any element.