A atom It is a particle that cannot be divided through a chemical method. It consists of a nucleus that is surrounded by electrons (elementary particles whose electrical charge is negative).
The electrons , then, they revolve around the nucleus of the atom, performing wave movements. To the space where a high probability of finding an electron is recorded it is called atomic orbital .
The atomic orbital, therefore, is a region which is around nucleus of an atom. In those areas, electrons are very likely to appear.
In short, depending on how the density From the charge of the electron surrounding the nucleus, the atomic orbital is determined. It can be said that each electron occupies an atomic orbital, defined by various Quantum numbers .
An atomic orbital, on the other hand, can be mentioned as a cap of the atom. The main layer is linked to a quantum number n , according to the call Schrödinger equation . That quantum number adopts integer values (1 , 2 ,… ).
The closer the core layer is, the lower its main quantum number is. In this way, the electron associated with the main quantum number n = 1 is closer to the atomic nucleus than the main quantum number n = 2 in that atomic orbital, for example .
It should be noted, on the other hand, that the electronic layers have a maximum capacity of accommodation of electrons in the atomic orbitals. The main layers, in turn, may appear associated with sub-layers .
Due to characteristics of atomic orbitals, atoms are usually considered as diffuse clouds , with electrons orbiting the nucleus.
