How is a p orbital characterized?

A p orbital is characterized by its dumb-bell shape and directional properties. This means that the electron density in a p orbital is concentrated in two areas, one on either side of the nucleus, resembling the shape of a dumb-bell. The directional aspect indicates that p orbitals are oriented in specific directions in three-dimensional space, corresponding to the three different types of p orbitals: px, py, and pz. These orientations play a crucial role in determining how atoms will bond and interact with each other, as the shape and orientation of the orbitals influence the geometry of the molecule formed.

Other shapes like spherical and non-directional characterize s orbitals, while the question specifies how a p orbital behaves in terms of its shape and orientation, affirming the character of the p orbital.