atomic orbital
Let an agent explain atomic orbitals and their quantum description, relay shapes, quantum numbers and filling rules from chemistry and physics references, describe their role in bonding and the periodic table, and distinguish orbitals from orbits and from molecular orbitals.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent explain atomic orbitals and their quantum description, relay shapes, quantum numbers and filling rules from chemistry and physics references, describe their role in bonding and the periodic table, and distinguish orbitals from orbits and from molecular orbitals.
A mathematical function describing the wave-like behaviour of an electron in an atom, whose square gives the probability of finding the electron in a region of space, characterised by quantum numbers and classified by angular momentum into s, p, d, f, g, h and higher orbitals with characteristic shapes, spherical for s orbitals, dumbbell for p orbitals and cloverleaf for most d orbitals; atomic orbitals fill according to the aufbau principle and combine into molecular orbitals, underpinning the periodic table and chemical bonding.
What it is for: Not applicable; a quantum mechanical concept.
It can be explain the concept; relay shapes and quantum numbers; describe filling and bonding; distinguish from orbits.
Distinguishing features
Probability description
Quantum numbers
Characteristic shapes
Basis of the periodic table
What it looks like
Not a visible object; probability clouds drawn as shapes.
Physical character
s orbitals per shell: 1 count
p orbitals per shell: 3 count - from n = 2
d orbitals per shell: 5 count - from n = 3
f orbitals per shell: 7 count - from n = 4
How it is recognised
Electron wavefunction in an atom
s, p, d, f, g and h orbitals with characteristic shapes
Bohr orbits are classical paths; molecular orbitals span molecules
Related models
is a kind of - in registry terms
is a kind of - in registry terms
is described by - for the hydrogen atom
combines into - in bonding
In practice
Families and kinds
s orbitals
p orbitals
d orbitals
f orbitals
g, h and higher orbitals unoccupied in ground states
hydrogen-like and many-electron orbitals
hybrid orbitals as combinations
Standards and regulation
IUPAC conventions for orbital notation
No regulation
Failure modes and hazards
Confusing orbitals with orbits
Treating orbital pictures as literal boundaries
Misapplying hydrogen orbitals to many-electron atoms
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Understand What an atomic orbital is.
Science.
Definition
Definition.
Definition
Definition.
- What is an atomic orbital, and how does it describe electron probability rather than a path? definition
- Is the question about atomic orbitals, Bohr orbits or molecular orbitals? boundary
Types
Types and shapes.
Types
Types.
- What are s, p, d, f, g and h orbitals, and what shapes and quantum numbers characterise them? definition
- Which entry fits the specific orbital type? action
Theory Quantum theory.
Science.
Quantum
Quantum numbers and equations.
Quantum
Quantum.
- How do the Schrodinger equation and quantum numbers n, l and m define orbitals? provenance
- Which references are standard? provenance
Many-electron
Many-electron atoms.
Many-electron
Many-electron.
- How do orbitals change in many-electron atoms, and what are shielding and penetration? provenance
- Which entry fits electron configuration? action
Apply Chemistry.
Application.
Filling
Filling and the periodic table.
Filling
Filling.
- How do the aufbau principle, Hund rules and the Pauli principle fill orbitals and explain the periodic table? provenance
- Which sources are cited? provenance
Bonding
Bonding.
Bonding
Bonding.
- How do atomic orbitals hybridise and combine into molecular orbitals? provenance
- Which entry fits molecular orbital theory? action
Context History and teaching.
Context.
History
History.
History
History.
- How did orbitals emerge from Bohr, Schrodinger and Mulliken work? provenance
- Which entry fits the history of quantum chemistry? action
Teaching
Teaching.
Teaching
Teaching.
- How are orbitals taught and visualised, and what misconceptions arise? provenance
- Which entry fits chemistry education? action
What the second pass must settle
- Should molecular orbital and hybrid orbital be separate primary entries?
- How should physics and chemistry references be linked?
- The registry entry has merged aliases naming orbital types; should they be split off?