By Team Aakash Byju's
Atomic orbitals are mathematical functions that provide characteristics about the wave nature of electrons that orbit around the nuclei of atoms.
Atomic orbital also refers to the physical space around an atom's nucleus where the chance of a given electron being there is the highest.
– Principal quantum number – Azimuthal quantum number/orbital angular momentum quantum number. – Magnetic quantum number – Spin quantum number
Each atomic orbital's characteristics depend on the values of the following quantum numbers:
Furthermore, note that each atomic orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons.
The values of the quantum numbers can be used to understand each electron in an atomic orbital.
The name of an atomic orbital is usually a combination of the principal and azimuthal quantum numbers.
Continuing further there are four types of atomic orbitals named Sharp, Principal, Diffuse and Fundamental.
The sharp (s) orbital is a spherically shaped region that describes where an electron can be discovered with a high probability.
The principal (p) orbital is a dumbbell-shaped space that describes where an electron can be discovered within a certain degree of probability.
The diffuse (d) orbital has a clover leaf shape where electrons can be found and have an important role in covalent bonding.
The fundamental (f) is an orbital with a secondary quantum number equal to 3 and has a tetrahedral structure.