Question

What is meant by an orbital?

Short answer

An orbital is a region of space around an atom's nucleus where there is a high probability of finding an electron. They are mathematical representations derived from quantum mechanics and have varying shapes and orientations, such as s, p, d, and f orbitals. Orbitals help explain the distribution of electrons in different energy levels and sublevels, and their filling follows the Aufbau principle and Pauli Exclusion Principle.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of an Orbital

An orbital is a region of space around the nucleus of an atom where there is a high probability of finding an electron. It is a mathematical representation of the probable location of an electron in an atom and is derived from its wave function in quantum mechanics.

Types of Orbitals

There are four main types of orbitals denoted as s, p, d, and f. They have different shapes and orientations in space, which affect their energy levels and electron distribution. 1. s orbitals: These are spherical in shape and are the simplest type of orbital. There is only one s orbital per energy level. 2. p orbitals: These have a dumbbell shape, with the nucleus at the center of the dumbbell. There are three p orbitals in each energy level, oriented along the x, y, and z-axes. 3. d orbitals: These orbitals have more complex shapes and are present from the third energy level onwards. There are five distinct d orbitals in each energy level. 4. f orbitals: These are even more complex in shape and are present from the fourth energy level onwards. There are seven distinct f orbitals in each energy level.

Relation to Electron Configuration

Orbitals are essential for understanding electron configurations of atoms, as they explain the distribution of electrons in different energy levels and sublevels. The number of electrons in an orbital follows the Pauli Exclusion Principle which states that no more than two electrons with opposite spins can occupy the same orbital. The filling of orbitals in atoms follows a specific order known as the Aufbau principle. This principle states that electrons fill orbitals starting from the lowest energy levels and gradually moving to higher energy levels.