Atomic Models – Atomic Orbitals

How does chemistry describe electrons in an atom? The so-called atomic orbitals are a visualization of the probability of finding an electron at a specific location in the atom. Here, we can see the locations of maximum probability for the s, p, and d orbitals.

Behind this probability, there is the invisible vibration in the quantum dimension. This vibration has interference properties. It is visualized here in the form of a spinning wheel.

The s orbital is based on the vibration without nodal lines.
The p orbital is based on the vibration with one nodal line, thus l=1.

Let’s analyse the context of the p orbital in more detail. We have already seen the vibrational state l=1 on a single spherical shell.

If we slice the space like an onion, we obtain many spherical shells. In space, the nodal line becomes a nodal plane. The maximum vibration amplitude decreases at a very large distance from the nucleus.

Chemistry does not describe the entire vibration in space, only the location of maximum probability of finding an electron. It corresponds to the points with the greatest vibration amplitude. The result is this representation of the p orbital.

This also applies to all other orbitals. Atomic orbitals in space inherit the nodal lines, or nodal surfaces, from the quantum dimension. Thus chemistry and physics go hand in hand.