Shapes and Orientations of
Orbitals
Periodic table arrangement
• the quantum theory helps to explain the structure of the periodic table.
• n - 1 indicates that the d subshell in period 4 actually starts at 3 (4 - 1 = 3).
s (n) d (n - 1) p (n)1234567
f (n -2)
• The location of electrons is described by: n, l, ml
n = size, l = shape, ml = orientation
Electron clouds
• The “probability” of finding an electron around a nucleus can be calculated.
• Relative probability is indicated by a series of dots, indicating the “electron cloud”.
• 90% electron probability/cloud for 1s orbital (notice higher probability toward the centre)
p orbitals and d orbitalsp orbitals look like a dumbell with 3 orientations: px, py, pz (“p sub z”). Four of the d orbitals resemble two dumbells in a
clover shape. The last d orbital resembles a p orbital with a donut wrapped around the middle.
4s
3s
2s
1s
2p
3p
3dEENNEERRGGYY
n l ml ms
1 0(s)
2 0(s)1(p)
0
0-1, 10,
3 0(s)1(p)
0-1, 10,
2(d) -1, 1,
0,-2, 24 0(s) 0
Movie: periodic table of the elements: t10-20
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