orbital
[ awr-bi-tl ]
/ ˈɔr bɪ tl /
adjective
of or relating to an orbit.
noun
Physics, Chemistry.
- a wave function describing the state of a single electron in an atom (atomic orbital) or in a molecule (molecular orbital).
- the electron in that state.
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British Dictionary definitions for orbital
orbital
/ (ˈɔːbɪtəl) /
adjective
of or denoting an orbit
(of a motorway or major road circuit) circling a large city
noun
a region surrounding an atomic nucleus in which the probability distribution of the electrons is given by a wave function
an orbital road
Derived forms of orbital
orbitally, adverbMedical definitions for orbital
orbital
[ ôr′bĭ-tl ]
adj.
Relating to an orbit.
Scientific definitions for orbital
orbital
[ ôr′bĭ-tl ]
A partial description of the quantum state of an electron (or other particle) orbiting the nucleus of an atom. Different orbitals have different shapes and orientations, depending on the energy of the electron, its angular momentum, and its magnetic number. Orbitals have no clear boundaries; the shape of an orbital, as depicted graphically, shows only the regions around the nucleus in which an electron has a relatively high probability of being found. No more than two electrons (each with opposite spin) can coexist in a single orbital because of the Pauli exclusion principle. See also probability wave quantum number shell.