atomic orbital

atomic orbital noun Physics, Chemistry.

1. See under orbital(def 2).

orbital [awr-bi-tl] adjective

1. of or relating to an orbit.

noun

2. Physics, Chemistry.
   1. a wave function describing the state of a single electron in an atom (atomic orbital) or in a molecule (molecular orbital).
   2. the electron in that state.

Origin of orbital 1535–45; New Latin, Medieval Latin orbitālis; see orbit, -al1 Related formsin·ter·or·bi·tal, adjectivein·ter·or·bi·tal·ly, adverbpre·or·bit·al, adjectivesu·per·or·bit·al, adjectivetrans·or·bi·tal, adjectiveun·or·bi·tal, adjectiveun·or·bi·tal·ly, adverb British Dictionary definitions for atomic orbital orbital adjective

1. of or denoting an orbit
2. (of a motorway or major road circuit) circling a large city

noun

3. a region surrounding an atomic nucleus in which the probability distribution of the electrons is given by a wave function
4. an orbital road

Derived Formsorbitally, adverb Word Origin and History for atomic orbital orbital adj.

1540s, with reference to eye sockets; 1839 with reference to heavenly bodies; from orbit (n.) + -al (1).

atomic orbital in Medicine orbital [ôr′bĭ-tl] adj.

1. Relating to an orbit.

atomic orbital in Science orbital [ôr′bĭ-tl]

1. 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.