SP 2 - Orbitals

Key concepts:

• the given 'blocks' in the periodic table tell us the orbital type found in that block (the s-block is comprised of s-orbitals only, the p-block is comprised of p-orbitals only, etc.

• orbitals are not 'hard shells' nor do they have an actual shape. However, density plots of the probability of finding electrons has given rise to the 'shapes' we now associate with the various orbitals

• a single orbital can hold (at most) two electrons. Thus three different p-orbitals can hold a total of 6 electrons

Key concepts:

• orbitals are a volume in space where there is a high probability of finding an electron or electrons (2 at most in a single orbital)

• s- and p-orbitals can tell us about electron arrangements in the main group elements, d-orbitals can tell us about electron arrangements in the transition metals, and f-orbitals can tell us about electron arrangements in the lanthanides and actinides.