"In atomic theory and quantum mechanics, an atomic orbital () is a function describing the location and wave-like behavior of an electron in an atom."
Introduces the concept of orbitals as regions of space around an atom's nucleus where electrons are most likely to be found, and distinguishes different types of orbitals (e.g. s, p, d, f).
Electromagnetic Spectrum: It is a range of electromagnetic waves, which includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays.
Radiation and Matter: The interaction of radiation with matter and the nature of different types of radiation such as alpha, beta, and gamma radiation.
Atomic Structure: The basic structure of an atom, including the nucleus, protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Quantum Theory: The theory that describes the behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and sub-atomic level.
Bohr's Atomic Model: A model that describes the structure of the hydrogen atom and the behavior of electrons within the atom.
Wave-Particle Duality: The concept that describes the dual nature of particles, which can behave as both waves and particles.
Schrodinger Equation: A mathematical equation that describes the behavior of particles in quantum mechanics.
Quantum Numbers: A set of numbers that describe the properties of an electron in an atom, such as its energy level, orbital, and spin.
Atomic Orbitals: The regions of space around the nucleus where electrons are likely to be found.
Electron Configuration: The distribution of electrons in the different orbitals of an atom.
Pauli's Exclusion Principle: No two electrons in an atom can have the same set of quantum numbers.
Hund's Rule: For a given energy level, electrons will occupy separate orbitals of the same energy before pairing up.
Periodic Table: The periodic arrangement of elements based on their atomic number and electron configurations.
Valence Electrons: The electrons in the outermost energy level of an atom that are involved in chemical reactions.
Ionization Energy: The energy required to remove an electron from an atom.
Electron Affinity: The energy released when an electron is added to an atom.
Atomic Size: The size of an atom is determined by the distance between its nucleus and its outermost electron.
Chemical Bonding: The process by which atoms combine to form molecules, using their valence electrons.
Hybridization: The process by which atomic orbitals combine to form hybrid orbitals, which are used in bonding.
Molecular Orbitals: The regions of space around a molecule where the electrons are likely to be found.
s-orbitals: An s-orbital is a spherical shaped electron cloud that surrounds an atomic nucleus. It's the lowest energy level orbital.
p-orbitals: A p-orbital is a dumbbell-shaped electron cloud that has two lobes on opposite sides of the nucleus, with a nodal plane between them.
d-orbitals: A d-orbital is an electron cloud that has four lobes arranged at right angles to each other, with nodal planes that separate the lobes.
f-orbitals: An f-orbital is an electron cloud that has a complex shape with multiple lobes and nodal planes. It has seven different sub levels.
g-orbitals: A g-orbital is a hypothetical orbital that has eight different sub levels.
h-orbitals: A h-orbital is a hypothetical orbital that has nine different sub levels.
i-orbitals: An i-orbital is a hypothetical orbital that has ten different sub levels.
j-orbitals: A j-orbital is a hypothetical orbital that has eleven different sub levels.
k-orbitals: A k-orbital is a hypothetical orbital that has twelve different sub levels.
"This function can be used to calculate the probability of finding any electron of an atom in any specific region around the atom's nucleus."
"Each orbital in an atom is characterized by a set of values of the three quantum numbers n, ℓ, and ml, which respectively correspond to the electron's energy, its angular momentum, and an angular momentum vector component (magnetic quantum number)."
"As an alternative to the magnetic quantum number, the orbitals are often labeled by the associated harmonic polynomials (e.g., xy, x2 − y2)."
"Each such orbital can be occupied by a maximum of two electrons, each with its own projection of spin m_s."
"The simple names s orbital, p orbital, d orbital, and f orbital refer to orbitals with angular momentum quantum number ℓ = 0, 1, 2, and 3 respectively."
"They are derived from the description by early spectroscopists of certain series of alkali metal spectroscopic lines as sharp, principal, diffuse, and fundamental."
"Orbitals for ℓ > 3 continue alphabetically (g, h, i, k, ...), omitting j because some languages do not distinguish between the letters 'i' and 'j'."
"Atomic orbitals are the basic building blocks of the atomic orbital model (or electron cloud or wave mechanics model), a modern framework for visualizing the submicroscopic behavior of electrons in matter."
"In this model, the electron cloud of an atom may be seen as being built up (in approximation) in an electron configuration that is a product of simpler hydrogen-like atomic orbitals."
"The repeating periodicity of blocks of 2, 6, 10, and 14 elements within sections of the periodic table arises naturally from the total number of electrons that occupy a complete set of s, p, d, and f orbitals, respectively."
"The energies of certain sub-shells become very similar and so the order in which they are said to be populated by electrons (e.g., Cr = [Ar]4s13d5 and Cr2+ = [Ar]3d4) can be rationalized only somewhat arbitrarily."