Orbitals Chemistry: Definition, Different Types Of Orbitals, Shapes Of Atomic Orbitals!

What Are Atomic Orbitals: Atomic orbitals a concepts derived from quantum mechanics to describe the probability of finding an electron around an atom’s nucleus.  

Orbitals Chemistry

• There are four kinds of orbitals, denoted by s,p, d and f each with a different shape. 
• Out of the four, s and p orbitals are considered because these orbitals are the most common in chemistry. 
• A s-orbital is said to be spherical with its nucleus in the centre, the p-orbital is dumbbell-shaped and four of the five d-orbitals are cloverleaf-shaped. 
• The fifth d-orbital is like an elongated dumbbell. 
• The orbitals in an atom can be organised into different layers and electron shells. 
• Well, an atom can have many different numbers of orbitals. They can be categorised based on size, shape and orientation. 
• A smaller size orbital means that there is a greater chance of getting an electron near the nucleus. 

The Orbital Wave Function

• The Orbtial Wave Function is a mathematical function used for representing the coordinates of an electron. It can be represented by ϕ. 
• If we talk about the square of the orbital wave function, then it represents the probability of finding an electron. 
• This wave function also helps us to draw the boundary surface diagrams. 
• Boundary surface diagrams can help us to understand the shape of orbitals. 

The Shape Of s-orbitals

• The boundary surface diagram for the s-orbital looks like a sphere. It has the nucleus as its centre which we can see in two dimensions in a circle. 
• The s-orbitals are spherically symmetric having the probability of finding an electron at a given distance that is equal in all the directions. 
• The size of the s-orbital increases with the increase in the value of a principal quantum number. 

The Shape of p Orbitals

• This orbital consists of two sections better known as lobes, which lie on either side of the plane passing through the nucleus. 
• The three p-orbitals are identical in terms in size of shape, size and energy. 
• As the lobes lie along the x, y or z-axis, three orbitals are given the designations as 2px, 2py, and 2pz. 
• The energy of p-orbitals increases with an increase in the principal quantum number. 

The Shape of d Orbitals

• There are five d-orbitals and the magnetic orbital quantum number for d-orbitals is given as (-2,-1,0, 1,2). 
• The orbitals can be designated as dxy, dyz, dxz, dx2–y 2 and dz2.
• The shapes of the first four d-orbitals are similar to each other. 

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