Define orbit & orbital, shapes of orbitals s,p,d,f
Orbit and Orbital:
- An orbit is the path that an electron follows as it moves around the nucleus of an atom.
- An orbital is a mathematical representation of an electron's energy and wave-like behavior.
- Orbitals are described by three quantum numbers: n, l, and m, which define the size, shape, and orientation of the orbital, respectively.
- There are four main types of orbitals: s, p, d, and f, which differ in their shapes and energy levels.
- The s orbitals are spherical in shape, while p orbitals are dumbbell-shaped, d orbitals are cloverleaf-shaped, and f orbitals are more complex and less well understood.