Question

What are the different types of atomic orbitals?

Answer 1

There are many types of atomic orbital (`"s, p, d, f, g, h"`, …), but only the first four are occupied in the ground state of an atom.

Explanation:

Quantum numbers

Two quantum numbers determine the type of orbital.

The principal quantum number, `n`, determines the size of the orbital.

The secondary quantum number, `l`, determines the shape.

`"s"` orbitals

For each value of `n`, there is one orbital for which `l = 0`.

These orbitals are spheres.

The higher the value of `n`, the larger the sphere.

The spheres like nested shells separated by nodes — areas where there is no electron density.

`"p"` orbitals

When `n > 1`, `l` can have any value up to `n"-1"`.

When `l = 1`, the orbital is called a `"p"` orbital.

A `"p"` orbital looks like a dumbbell.

There are three types of `"p"` orbital.

Each points in a different direction.

`"d"` orbitals

When `n = 3`, we can have orbitals with `l = 2`.

These are called `"d"` orbitals, and there are five of them.

One looks like a dumbbell with a doughnut around the middle.

The other four `"d"` orbitals look like four-leaf clovers with the leaves pointing in different directions.

`"f"` orbitals

When `n = 4`, we can have orbitals with `l = 3`.

These are called `"f"` orbitals, and there are seven of them.

Three of the orbitals look like a dumbbell with two donuts around the middle.

The other four orbitals look like a bundle of eight balloons tied together and pointing to the corners of a cube.