The electron capacity of each shell is indicated by 2n2 f or a given n

For each solution to the quantum mechanical equation, we can calculate

the electron
probability density (sometimes just called the electron density) at each
point in the atom.
This is the probability of finding an electron at that point. It can be shown
that this electron
density is proportional to r22, where r is the distance from the nucleus.
The electron probability density at a given distance from the nucleus is
plotted against distance from the nucleus, for s orbitals. It is found that
the electron probability density curve is the same regardless of the
direction in the atom.

An electron cloud surrounding an

atomic nucleus. The electron density drops off rapidly
but smoothly as distance from the nucleus increases.

Plots of the electron density distributions associated with s orbitals. For any s
orbital, this plot is the same in any direction (orbital is spherically
symmetrical). The sketch below each plot shows a cross section, in the plane
of the atomic nucleus, of the electron cloud associated with that orbital.
Electron density is proportional to r2c2. s orbitals with n . 1 have n 2 1

Two representations of the hydrogen

1s, 2s, and 3s orbitals. (a) The
electron
probability distribution. (b) The
surface that contains 90% of the total
electron probability (the size of the
orbital, by definition).

s orbital as spherically symmetrical; that is, it is round like a basketball .The

electron clouds (electron densities) associated with the 1s, 2s, and 3s atomic
orbitals are shown just below the plots
The shape of an s orbital

P ORBITAL:
Beginning with the second shell, each shell also contains a p subshell,
defined by , l=1.
Each of these subshells consists of a set of three p atomic orbitals,
corresponding to the
three allowed values of m, (-1, 0, and +1) when , l= 1. The sets are referred
to as 2p,
3p, 4p, 5p, . . . orbitals to indicate the main shells in which they are found.
Each set of
atomic p orbitals resembles three mutually perpendicular equal-arm
flattened dumbbells.
Each p orbital has a nodal plane (blue lines/planes in Figure 4-24) in which
there is zero probability of finding the electron. The two regions in which

Figure 4-24 Representations of the

shape
of a p orbital. The nodal plane for this
orbital is shown (edge on) as a blue
line in
these drawings. (a) A probability
diagram,
where the density of dots signifies the
probability of finding the electron in
that
region. (b) The shape of this p orbital.
The
two lobes are shown in different
colors to
represent the different mathematical
phases
(+ and ) of the wave function. (c) A
plot
of electron probability along the axis
of
maximum electron density for this
orbital.
A plot along any other direction would

Representation of the 2p orbitals.

(a) The electron probability distribution for a 2p orbital.
(b) The boundary surface representations of all three 2p orbitals.
Note that the signs inside the surface indicate the phases (signs)
of the orbital in that region of space.

all orbitals with the same value of n

have the same energythey are said
to be degenerate.

A cross-section of the electron

probability
distribution for a 3p orbital.

Beginning at the third shell, each shell also contains a third subshell (, 5
2) composed
of a set of five d atomic orbitals (m, 5 22,21, 0,11,12) . They are
designated 3d, 4d,
5d, . . . to indicate the shell in which they are found. The shapes of the
members of a set areindicated in Figure 4-26.

Representation of the 3d orbitals. (a) Electron density plots of selected

3d orbitals. on (b) The boundary surfaces of all five 3d orbitals, with
the signs (phases) indicated.

spin quantum number, ms. Because ms has two possible

values, 112and 212 , each atomic orbital, defined by the
values of n, ,, and m,, has a capacity of two electrons.
Electrons are negatively charged, and they behave as
though they were spinning about axes through their
centers, so they act like tiny magnets. The motions of
electrons produce magnetic fields, and these can interact
with one another. Two electrons in the same orbital
having opposite ms values are said to be spin-paired,
or simply paired (Figure 4-29).
Lets summarize, in tabular form, some of the information
we have developed to this point. The principal quantum
number n indicates the main shell.
The number of subshells per shell is equal to n, the
number of atomic orbitals per shell is n2, and the
maximum number of electrons per shell is 2n2, because
each atomic orbital can hold two electrons.

Electron spin. Electrons act

as though they spin about
an axis through their
centers. Because
electrons may spin in two
directions, the spin quantum
number has two possible
values, 1
12 and 2 12 , sometimes
referred to as spin up or
spin down.
Each electron spin produces
a magnetic field. When two
electrons have opposite
spins, the attraction due to
their opposite magnetic
fields (gray arrows) helps to

Orbital energy levels for the hydrogen atom.

This is not the case for polyelectronic atoms, where we fi nd that for a
given principal quantum level the orbitals vary in energy as follows: Ens
< Enp < End< Enf
In other words, when electrons are placed in a particular quantum level,
they prefer
the orbitals in the order s, p, d, and then f.