How do you describe orbital or shell?

Answer 1

A probabilistic function that describes the possible positions of one of the sets of electrons 'orbiting' the nucleus of an atom. For instance, the oxygen atom has two such shells, one consisting of a 'cloud' of two electrons and the other of six. The shapes of the density functions of individual electrons in these shells vary in shape depending on which shell is involved.

Answer 2

An atomic orbital is a mathematical function that describes the wave-like behavior of an electron in an atom. This function can be used to calculate the probability of finding any electron of an atom in any specific region around the atom's nucleus. The term "orbital" has become known as either the "mathematical function" or the "region" generated with the function.[1] Specifically, atomic orbitals are the possible quantum states of an individual electron in the electron cloud around a single atom, as described by the function. Electron atomic and molecular orbitals. The chart of orbitals (left) is arranged by increasing energy (see Madelung rule). Note that atomic orbits are functions of three variables (two angles, and the distance from the nucleus, r). These images are faithful to the angular component of the orbital, but not entirely representative of the orbital as a whole.

The idea that electrons moved in an orbit-like way inside an atom, was first suggested in 1904. From about 1913 to 1926 the electrons were thought to orbit the atomic nucleus much like the planets around the Sun. Explaining the behavior of the electron "orbits" was one of the driving forces behind the development of quantum mechanics. In quantum mechanics, atomic orbitals are described as wave functions over space, indexed by the n, l, and m quantum numbers of the orbital or by the names as used in electron configurations, as shown on the right. As electrons cannot be described as solid particles (like a planet), a more accurate analogy to the electron would be that of a large and often oddly-shaped atmosphere, the electron, distributed around a relatively tiny planet, which is the atomic nucleus. Because of the difference from classical mechanical orbits, the term "orbit" for electrons in atoms, has been replaced with the term orbital.

Answer 3

Orbitals are regions around an atomic nucleus where electrons are likely to be found. Shells are energy levels within an atom where electrons can reside, each shell having a set of orbitals. The number of electrons a shell can hold is determined by its energy level, with higher energy levels capable of holding more electrons.

Answer 4

An energy shell, or more commonly an electron shell, is made of electrons. These shells full of electrons are around the nucleus in atoms, and they have varying levels of energy.