ATOMIC STRUCTURE

3.3 - Arrangement of Electrons

3.3.3 - The Quantum Mechanical Model of the Atom

Atomic Orbitals

Each sublevel has one or more atomic orbitals with a specific 3-dimensional shape. The shapes that the atomic orbitals are related to the probabilities of finding the electron in a certain volume in space. Using the Cartesian coordinate system (x, y, and z axes) as a frame of reference, the nucleus of the atom is located at the origin. The diagrams below are called "Boundary Surface Diagrams". These diagrams show the volume of space which encloses 90% of the probability distribution of finding the electron within the orbitals' boundary surfaces.

Shapes of Orbitals:

• the s orbital,
• the p orbitals,
• the d orbitals,
• the f orbitals. (University of Kentucky)

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