An atomic orbital is a region in an atom where there is a high probability of finding an electron.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Wave nature of electrons:
Electrons behave like waves, and quantum mechanics describes their motion around the nucleus. The solutions to Schrödinger’s equation give us orbitals. - Orbitals are not orbits:
- Orbit (Bohr model): Electrons travel in fixed circular paths.
- Orbital (modern quantum model): Electrons exist in a 3D region of space described by probability.
- Types of orbitals (based on shape):
- s orbital: Spherical.
- p orbitals: Dumbbell-shaped, oriented along x, y, z axes.
- d orbitals: More complex, cloverleaf or other shapes.
- f orbitals: Even more complex shapes.
- Each orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, with opposite spins (Pauli exclusion principle).
In short:
An atomic orbital is a 3D region around the nucleus where an electron is most likely to be found. Its shape and energy depend on the electron’s quantum numbers.