Orbitals Definition and 245 Threads

  1. E

    I am studying orbitals at school. They are very interesting and

    I am studying orbitals at school. They are very interesting and strange at the same time; they seem to be very similar to a planet in orbit around a black hole. However I am not here for that. I was wondering if you knew a good and short reference in order to understand E,Shrodinger's equation...
  2. R

    Slater orbitals for alkali earth metals and noble gases

    Hello Forum, Does anyone know where I can find the slater bases for the alkali metal 'np' orbitals and the noble gas '(n+1)p' orbitals, either altogether or individually? I'm a physicist and wanted to know what the standard (or even non-standard) reference is? I know that the...
  3. S

    Hybridizing oxygen and nitrogen orbitals

    I was thinking about how you'd hybridize oxygen and nitrogen orbitals (should be pretty straightforward), but I was getting confused. It's clear to me for carbon binding to 3 atoms with a double bond on one (say C in benzene ring: electron from 2s gets promoted to 2p, then you have 3 sp2...
  4. G

    Exploring Landau Levels: Calculating Orbitals & Wavefunctions

    hey, i am concerned with landau levels and wanted to ask you whether you have a link, where one can see the orbitals- just like the orbitals for the hydrogen atom- for at least a few electron states? otherwise it would be sufficient if you could give me a hint how to calculate them. i...
  5. N

    Understanding Electron Orbitals: The Role of Photons in Orbital Changes

    I've haven't taken a chemistry course as of yet, so I'm probably getting something very wrong here, but one thing that someone said confused me. They said that when an electron changes it's orbital, it emits a photon. I like to think about orbitals (and I know that this is ONLY a useful...
  6. D

    How can I deform electron orbitals?

    It's my understanding that electron orbitals arise from the steady state solution to the Schrodinger equation. In what ways can these be deformed? Some possible solutions might be oscillating or metastable dynamic solutions. Other solutions include varying electron mass (I understand a purist...
  7. T

    Hybridization of Carbon in a Triple Bond: Explained

    Homework Statement What type of hybridization occurs in the orbitals of a carbon atom participating in a triple bond with another carbon atom? The Attempt at a Solution I honestly thought it would be sp3 but it turns out to be sp. Can someone explain this to me? Thanks!
  8. M

    Orbitals and Shells: Explained

    Hey guys! I didn't know where else to turn to but this forum. I am trying to figure out what the difference between a orbital and a shell really is, and what an orbital is in reality. As I understand, E in the Schrödinger equation represents the binding energy for the electron to the...
  9. O

    Electron Orbitals motion patterns

    I am wondering how is it that the electrons go from one elctron shell to another because I learned that the shells only meet in the nucleus of the element so how is it possible for it to change shells without becoming a nuetralized charge?
  10. A

    Calculating Energy for Orbital Deployment

    Homework Statement A scientist wants to put an 100kg experimental package in orbit around the Earth. The cost of deployment depends on the amount of extra energy it takes to get it into the required position i.e. how much more energy is used than just sending the rocket up there. a)...
  11. B

    Electron Orbitals: Heat, Excitation and Radiation

    What do they have to do with heat? What exactly can cause and electron to become exited and what exactly does the particle it comes in contact with do that causes the electron to become ''exited''? The higher the orbitals and electron spins, the shorter the wavelengths of the radiation it emits...
  12. R

    Virtual photons and electron orbitals

    hi, when an electron stays in the same electronic orbitals with principal quantum number n, with a constant energy and momentum, are there still virtuals photons that are permanently exchanged between this electron and the nucleus? I believe that the electromagnetic field is equivalent...
  13. L

    S Orbitals: Exploring "Non-Directional" Properties

    Why are S orbitals referred to as "non-directional"? Shouldn't their direction be referred to as "all directions"?
  14. C

    Resolution of electron orbitals

    Hi, I have developed a model that demonstrates the filling of atomic orbitals but need some 'constructive' criticism on its content. How do I go about that? I currently have it in a pdf format. Can anyone help?
  15. A

    Understanding Hybridisation of Orbitals: From Carbon to Other Elements

    I'm struggling with the idea of hybridisation of orbitals. Let's start with sp^2 hybridisation of carbon, so for example in graphene. So C valence electrons ground state configuration is: 2s^2 2p^2 But am I right in saying that one of the 2s electrons is promoted to 2p, so that we have...
  16. F

    Calculate Overlap of PZ Orbitals Dependent on Interatomic Distance

    Hello, i would like to calculate the overlap of two simple pz orbitals dependent on the interatomic distance. how can i do that? Thanks
  17. dextercioby

    Hybridization states of the 8 orbitals (*) of Xe and Os

    Dear all, can you point me to a book reference where the hybridization states of the 8 orbitals (*) of Xe and Os in these 2 compounds \mbox{XeF_{8}} and \mbox{OsF_{8}} are justified in agreement with the quantum theory? Do these 16 bonds involve the "f" orbitals or not ? Thank you...
  18. C

    Comparing Orbits and Orbitals: Similarities and Differences Explained

    Homework Statement describe one way in which orbits are similar and two ways in which they are different Homework Equations N/A The Attempt at a Solution the differences: first, the orbital is a 3-dimensional volume of space where the probability of finding some electron is very...
  19. C

    Exploring the Zeeman Effect on Electron Orbitals

    If electrons orbit an atom in discrete energy levels like n= 1 , 2, 3 ... and they never orbit in between the ground state and the first excited state . then why should a magnetic field break this rule and push the electron a little bit so when it relaxes back down it emits a longer...
  20. T

    Anti-Bonding/Bonding Molecular Orbitals

    Can someone explain to me, what are the factors/reasons that when certain atoms bond together, they form anti-Bonding or Bonding Molecular Orbitals? I am confused, and this is not in my syllabus(equivalent to Grade 12). P.S. It would be helpful if you included wavefunctions as well.
  21. F

    Plotting 6pz Orbitals with Python and Mayavi: Any Tips or Experience?

    Hello, does anybody have experience in visualization of the 6pz orbitals? I would like to plot this orbital with python using mayavi or something different. THX
  22. icystrike

    Chemistry NH3 molecule did not use sp3 hybridized orbitals

    Homework Statement 20. If the central N in the NH3 molecule did not use sp3 hybridized orbitals. What would be the expected angle in NH3? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I should just consider 3 of the H: 1s^{1} bonding with the P_{x} , P_{y} , P_{z} respectively and the angle is...
  23. C

    P orbitals and single electron atoms

    Hello, does hydrogen atom with a single electron have p orbitals? when the single electron of the hydrogen atom is excited, can it go to the 2p orbital? are "p orbitals" consequence of electrons interacting with nucleus ( protons ) ? or are "p orbitals" consequence of electrons interacting...
  24. J

    Solving Hydrogen Atom Orbital Puzzles: Nodes & Electron Movement

    Hello, probably a simple question but here it is. Considering the orbitals of a hydrogen atom, let's take a spherical one. Now the radial wave function can have several nodes. (n-l I believe) So if I get this right, there are spherical shells around the nucleus where there is no chance of...
  25. A

    Atom Orbitals: Exploring the Electron Cloud Theory

    Atom orbitals, I mean the ones where electrons orbit proton with continuous trajectory like planets orbit around the sun. I do not mean to disagree with modern teachings nor to speculate, I simply do not see how QM actually excludes this possibility. I just want someone walk me through several...
  26. E

    Which Electrons Belong to the Valence Orbitals?

    Homework Statement The electron configuration for three neutral atoms are as follows. A.1s22s22p3 B.1s22s22p63s23p64s23d104p55s24d7 C.1s22s22p63s23p64s23d6 Indicate which are valence orbitals. The Attempt at a Solution A.2s22p3 B.4p54d7 C.4s2 Please check if i have...
  27. K

    Quantum Numbers and Total number of Orbitals

    Homework Statement How many orbitals have the values n = 4, l = 3, and m_l = -2? Homework Equations First of all, is this question asking me how many orbitals there are with the given quantum numbers? Second, how do I go about finding that out The Attempt at a Solution I thought...
  28. bearcharge

    Conduction band and antibonding orbitals

    I'm not from the chemistry major but I need to learn solid state chemistry out of the need of my research. I viewed solid state chemistry lectures online delivered by professor Donald Sadoway from MIT. Particularly on the topic of conductors, insulators, semi-conductors, I have some confusions...
  29. O

    Why is there hybridization of orbitals?

    Hi, we often learn that orbital hybridization helps us in explaining the bond angle and bond length for simple molecules, e.g. CH4. But why is it that s and p orbitals undergo hybridization? Is it because the resulting hybridized orbitals are more stable?
  30. E

    How to Determine Number of Antibonding Orbitals on an Atom

    Anyone know how to determine how many antibonding orbitals are on an atom?...Everything tells me to draw the diagram, but I have no idea how to do that...
  31. P

    How is the π portion of the M=C bond in transition metals formed?

    Homework Statement Transition metal species are known that contain multiple metal-carbon bonds, for example, M=CH2. Describe how the π portion of the M=C bond would be formed using a pure d orbital on M and in what plane the protons on the CH2 group would lie. (A d orbital is employed because...
  32. P

    How Do Phenyl Groups Stabilize the Intermediate in Cis-Trans Isomerization?

    Homework Statement 1,2-difluoroethylene has two isomers, cis and trans, and they do not interconvert readily. However, cis and trans isomers of (C6H5)HC=CH(C6H5) do interconvert (but slowly). How is the intermediate required for that interconversion stabilized by the phenyl groups...
  33. U

    Test Your Knowledge: True or False? Orbitals

    Homework Statement True Or False ? Unhybridised orbitals are symmetrical Hybridised orbitals are asymmetrical Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution
  34. F

    Can You Have a s2p3 Orbital or sp5d Hybridization in Molecules?

    When mixing orbitals, is it possible to have a s2p3 orbital ( or anything along the lines of having a s2shell)? Also, are any combinations of hybridization orbitals possbile? For example. BrF2+, would the hybrid orbital used be sp5d or something different?
  35. G

    Stabilization of half-filled and fully-filled orbitals

    The additional stabilization from half-filled (e.g. 3d5, 4f7) and fully filled orbitals (e.g. 3d10, 4f14) is well-known. But can someone give an explanation for this? I'm looking for a theoretical rationalization. Thank you in advance.
  36. daisey

    Wave Properties of Electrons and their Atomic Orbitals

    I understand that electrons are found inside Atoms within specific orbitals, or quantized distances from the nucleus. There are a maximum number of electrons found within each orbit, etc. etc. I recently read that the reason for this quantized nature of orbitals has to do with the wave...
  37. S

    Molecular orbitals don't get it

    Molecular orbitals... don't get it Hi I'm new, to this forum and molecular science Reading a bit about molecular orbitals, and I have to say the whole concept of anti bonding orbitals and bonding orbitals got me quite confused. when atomic wave functions add you get bonding orbitals when...
  38. L

    Organic Chemistry - why not just three 2p orbitals in ethene?

    After promoting one of the electrons in the 2s orbital, the 2s orbital and two of the 2p orbitals undergo hybridization to form three sp2 orbitals, leaving the other 2p orbital unhybridized. But why is the hybridization necessary? Isn't the three 2p orbitals sufficient to form three identical...
  39. P

    Alternative linear comb. to vizualize hydrogenic orbitals p,d etc

    I'm teaching basic chemistry and got a question that I found very interesting. All textbooks we use depict hydrogenic p-orbitals (or spherical harmonics) by first making a linear combination of p+ and p- wave functions in order to get real orthogonal px, py, pz. But the thing that should be of...
  40. H

    Why and What are SP Carbon Orbitals When Hydrogens/Protons Removed?

    When the hydrogens/protons are removed, leaving C-, can someone please tell me what and why the SP orbitals of these two carbons are? http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/5333/40529044.jpg Thanks.
  41. G

    Plotting Orbitals: Easy Formulas for Non-Physicists

    My question is that is there any formula for non-physicists like me that can we can use to plot and graph the orbitals of atoms. I know the orbitals arise from solving the Schrodinger equation and solving them but are there already known equations that we can just plug into graphing program that...
  42. H

    Understanding Lone Pairs & Orbitals

    So, trying to understand conceptually why Carbon can only have 4 bonds maximum, regardless of its formal change in a structure. My book says it's because it only has 4 orbitals, but I'm not quite sure why this is, and was wondering if someone could explain. My second question is regarding...
  43. M

    Molecular Orbital Theory: 2s/3s & 2p Orthogonality Questions

    I have a few questions on molecular orbital theory which I hope you guys can help me settle! So I understand orthogonality meaning that the molecular orbitals have zero overlap, due to the Pauli Exclusion Principle. How do a 2s and 3s molecular orbital achieve orthogonality? Is it due to a...
  44. Q

    Do Electrons in Higher Energy Orbitals Move Faster Than Those in Lower Ones?

    Do electrons in higher energy orbitals move faster than ones in lower energy orbitals?
  45. Q

    Do Quantum Orbitals in the Atom Overlap at Different Energy Levels?

    My question concerns the orbitals in the atom (s,p,d, and f.) I know that each orbital shell is a probability density that has a quantized energy. My question is, do the orbitals touch, or rather do higher orbitals like say a d have a probability density that overlaps a p or s orbital in a...
  46. D

    How to picture atomic/electron orbitals

    I don’t understand why the arrangement of electrons around an atom (the electron cloud) orientates itself around the nucleus in different shapes i.e, spherical, dumbbell shape, etc? I know electrons have wavelike properties but I can’t picture in my head why, after two electrons, why they...
  47. N

    Charge analysis by projecting the density of states on orbitals of atoms

    Dear all, I really need help. My question: How do i project the density of states onto orbitals of atoms? this is to do a charge analysis. Can anyone provide me with an eqn or refer me to any relevant text or paper. Greatly apprieciate your help. Thanks nisha
  48. Y

    Atomic Orbitals: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding

    Can someone please direct me to a site that explains atomic orbitales well. Thanks. :cool:
  49. H

    Constructing orthogonal orbitals from atomic orbitals

    Imagine there is a molecule which consists of several atoms, and for each atom there is an effective orbital, phi_i, which are not orthogonal. Now we want to construct from them a set of orthogonal orbitals, psi_i. Of course there are many ways to do this. Let W be the matrix that realizes our...
  50. P

    Particle-Particle Simulation: Magnetic/Electric Fields & N-body Orbitals

    it is interesting i could not find many particle-particle simulators that simulate electrical fields even thought dynamics is pretty similar to that of planetary orbitals. there are few i could find but they are mostly 2D and defining problem in mathematical/geometrical terms, with sin/cos or...
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