Atomic orbital
See under (def 2).
of or relating to an .
Physics, Chemistry.
a wave function describing the state of a single electron in an atom (atomic orbital) or in a molecule (molecular orbital)
the electron in that state.
adjective
of or denoting an orbit
(of a motorway or major road circuit) circling a large city
noun
a region surrounding an atomic nucleus in which the probability distribution of the electrons is given by a wave function
an orbital road
noun
in chemistry, the space in an atom occupied by an electron, a subdivision of the available space within an atom for an electron to orbit the nucleus; also, a mathematical function used to describe the behavior of an electron in an atom
Usage Note
science
adj.
1540s, with reference to eye sockets; 1839 with reference to heavenly bodies; from orbit (n.) + -al (1).
orbital or·bit·al (ôr’bĭ-tl)
adj.
Relating to an orbit.
orbital
(ôr’bĭ-tl)
A partial description of the quantum state of an electron (or other particle) orbiting the nucleus of an atom. Different orbitals have different shapes and orientations, depending on the energy of the electron, its angular momentum, and its magnetic number. Orbitals have no clear boundaries; the shape of an orbital, as depicted graphically, shows only the regions around the nucleus in which an electron has a relatively high probability of being found. No more than two electrons (each with opposite spin) can coexist in a single orbital because of the Pauli exclusion principle. See also probability wave, quantum number, shell..
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