What Determines the Presence of a P-Orbital in an Atom's Electron Configuration?

[AbsoluteZer0]

Hi,

I understand that there are various types of orbitals (s, p, d, f, etc.) If we take Lithium for example, its electron configuration would be 1s², 2s¹. What would be the requirements for there to be a p-orbital? Does it have to do with the number of electrons?

Thanks,

 

[chemisttree]

Yes. For you start populating a p orbital for lithium you need to add at least two additional electrons to make Li^-2 when all it really wants to do is just lose one. Very difficult to do but perhaps not impossible.