Quantum Mechanics — Orbitals and Coordinates (Vocabulary)

Vocabulary flashcards covering coordinates, angular momentum, probability concepts, and atomic orbitals from the lecture notes.

Cartesian coordinates

A rectangular coordinate system using x, y, and z axes to specify a point in three-dimensional space.

Angular momentum

A physical quantity associated with rotational motion; in quantum mechanics, related to the electron's orbital motion around the nucleus.

Probability density

In quantum mechanics, the probability of finding a particle in a region is given by the square of the wavefunction magnitude, |ψ|^2.

Wavefunction

A mathematical function ψ(x,t) whose magnitude squared, |ψ|^2, gives the probability density of finding the particle at a location.

Orbital

A quantum state of an electron in an atom, described by quantum numbers n, l, m; determines the region and shape where the electron is likely to be found.

Electron configuration

Arrangement of electrons among available orbitals in an atom, following rules like Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion, and Hund’s rule.

Orbitals (s, p, d, f)

Categories of atomic orbitals with characteristic shapes and angular momentum, labeled by letters s, p, d, f.