Are the orbitals circular or spherical or parabolic? Are they 3D?

In summary, atomic and molecular orbitals have different shapes depending on their angular momentum, with "s" orbitals being spherical and "p" orbitals being two opposing lobes. It's important to note that these orbitals do not have well-defined positions, but rather the (squared) magnitude gives probabilities for finding the particle at a particular location.
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Amrutha.phy
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Are the orbitals circular or spherical or parabolic?? Are they 3D?

Are the orbitals circular or spherical or parabolic?? Are they 3D?
 
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I assume you mean atomic and/or molecular orbitals?

Different orbitals have different shapes, depending mainly on the angular momentum. For atomic orbitals, "s" orbitals are spherical, while "p" orbitals are shaped as two opposing lobes. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_orbital#Orbitals_table for some images.

It's important to note the difference between orbital and orbit. The latter is a path in space, such as a planet follows around its star. Its position is well-defined at each instance of time. By contrast, quantum particles do not have such well-defined positions. The (squared) magnitude of the orbital gives probabilities for finding the particle at a particular location. If you like, you can imagine the electron in an orbital "smeared out" over the orbital, like a cloud.
 

1. Are the orbitals circular or spherical or parabolic?

The shape of an orbital depends on its quantum numbers, specifically the azimuthal quantum number (l) and the magnetic quantum number (m). Orbitals with l = 0 (s orbitals) are spherical in shape, while those with l = 1 (p orbitals) have a dumbbell shape. Orbitals with higher values of l have more complex shapes, such as the d orbitals which have four lobes. Therefore, the shape of an orbital is not simply circular, spherical, or parabolic, but can vary depending on its quantum numbers.

2. Are the orbitals 3D?

Yes, orbitals are three-dimensional. They describe the probability of finding an electron in a particular region of space around the nucleus. This means that they have length, width, and height, making them three-dimensional. However, the shape of an orbital can only be described accurately in three dimensions if we use mathematical equations and models. In reality, orbitals do not have physical boundaries or distinct shapes, as electrons are constantly in motion and their positions can only be described by probabilities.

3. How can we visualize orbitals if they are not physical objects?

As mentioned before, the shape of an orbital can only be described through mathematical equations and models. These models, such as the Bohr model or the quantum mechanical model, use diagrams and diagrams to represent the probability of finding an electron in a particular region of space. These visual representations can help us understand the concept of orbitals, but they should not be taken as accurate representations of the physical location of electrons.

4. Can orbitals overlap?

Yes, orbitals can overlap. In fact, when two or more atoms come together to form a molecule, their orbitals overlap and combine to form new molecular orbitals. This is known as orbital hybridization and is essential in understanding the bonding and structure of molecules. In general, the more overlap between orbitals, the stronger the bond between atoms.

5. Do all electrons in an atom occupy different orbitals?

No, according to the Aufbau principle, electrons fill orbitals starting from the lowest energy level and moving to higher energy levels. This means that not all electrons in an atom occupy different orbitals. In fact, some orbitals can hold up to two electrons, as long as they have opposite spins (as described by the Pauli exclusion principle). This is known as electron pairing and is important in explaining the stability and reactivity of atoms.

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