105k views
2 votes
What is orbitals in the chemistry definition

2 Answers

6 votes

Good afternoon!

An orbital, in chemistry, can be described as a layer where an electron is expected to be found, around a nucleus of an atom.

Atoms contain 3 parts - protons, neutrons, and electrons. The protons and neutrons stick together in the center, while the electrons are flying around the entire nucleus (protons+neutrons).

The location of these electrons is unknown, as they fly around, however there is a "most likely found" location.

These are the orbitals. They are the areas where the electron is most likely to be found.

Good luck!

User Amit Amola
by
4.9k points
7 votes

Orbitals or otherwise fully known as Atomic orbitals are regions of space around the nucleus of an atom. This is also where an electron believed to be found. The atomic orbitals allow atoms to make covalent bonds.

Hope I could help! :)

User Ishido
by
5.0k points