2.20 Describe an atomic orbital and what it represents.

What is an atomic orbital, and what does it represent?

Definition: An atomic orbital is a region around the nucleus where there is a high probability of finding an electron.

Wave Nature: Represents the wave-like behavior of electrons rather than a fixed path.

Probability Distribution: Describes where an electron is most likely to be found.

Shapes and Types: Different orbitals have different shapes (e.g., s is spherical, p is dumbbell-shaped).

Energy Levels: Orbitals are organized into energy levels, with electrons filling the lowest energy orbitals first.

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