Question

Explain the difference between the probability density distribution for an orbital and its radial probability.

Short answer

Radial probability is an estimate of where an outer electron can be in a specific orbital whereas probability density distribution is an estimate of the positions of the electrons in the atom.

Step-by-step solution

Explaining the probability density distribution for an orbital

Probability density distribution is the probability per volume in an atom, where the volume is significantly small. In the other words, it is an estimate of the positions of the electrons in the atom.

Explaining the radial probability for an orbital

Radial probability is a means of determining the outer limit of an atom. It is an estimate of where an outer electron can be in a specific orbital.