Electron orbital - Definition and Overview

An orbital (also electron orbital) is the description of the behavior of an electron in an atom or molecule according to quantum mechanics. According to quantum mechanics, an electron in an atom or molecule has two curious properties:

1. An electron's position in space is not determined, but its probability of being at a particular place is given by the value of its wavefunction squared, <math>\psi^2<math>, at that point. (<math>\psi^2<math> is a particular type of probability density function and <math>\psi<math>, the wavefunction, is the solution of the Schrödinger equation.)

2. An electron can only have certain discrete amounts of energy. The particular amount of energy that it has is determined by its wavefunction. The combination of an energy level and a probability density function is called an orbital. The name is intentionally similar, but contrasting, to orbit. An orbital specifies the energy and the probability of the location of an electron at every point, whereas an orbit determines the energy and the path of a celestial body. An orbital gives no information about a path followed by an electron, and according to the Uncertainty principle of quantum mechanics there is no such path .

Related topics

• Atomic orbital
• Molecular orbital

• Periodic table
  • Periodic table group
  • Periodic table period
  • Chemical series
  • Periodic table block

• Isotope table (complete)
  • Isotope table (divided)

• Atomic electron configuration table

• Discovery of the chemical elements
• Elements song
• IUPAC's systematic element names.