Question

What is meant by an orbital?

Short answer

An orbital is a region in an atom where there is a high probability of finding an electron. There are four types of orbitals: s-orbital (spherical shape), p-orbital (dumbbell shape), d-orbital (cloverleaf shape), and f-orbital (complex shape). Orbitals are essential for understanding electron configurations of atoms and predicting their chemical properties, as they follow the Aufbau principle, where electrons occupy orbitals in increasing order of energy.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of an Orbital

An orbital is a region in an atom where there is a high probability of finding an electron. Each orbital can hold up to two electrons, and these electrons have opposite spins. Orbitals dictate the behavior of electrons around an atomic nucleus and help us understand the chemical properties and reactivity of elements.

Types of Orbitals

There are four types of orbitals, characterized by the different shapes of electron clouds around the atomic nucleus. These are: 1. s-orbital: Has a spherical shape and can be found in all energy levels. It can hold a total of 2 electrons. 2. p-orbital: Has a dumbbell shape and can be found in all energy levels except the first one. There are three p-orbitals (px, py, pz) in each energy level, and they can hold a total of 6 electrons. 3. d-orbital: Has a more complex, cloverleaf shape and can be found in energy levels from the third one upwards. There are five d-orbitals in each energy level, and they can hold a total of 10 electrons. 4. f-orbital: Has an even more complex shape and can be found in energy levels from the fourth one upwards. There are seven f-orbitals in each energy level, and they can hold a total of 14 electrons.

Understanding Orbitals in the Context of Electron Configuration

Orbitals are essential for understanding electron configurations of atoms and predicting their chemical properties. The arrangement of electrons in various orbitals follows a specific order, known as the Aufbau principle. This principle states that electrons occupy orbitals in increasing order of energy, filling lower energy levels before moving to higher ones. This helps explain the periodic table trends, such as ionization energy, electron affinity, and reactivity of elements.