atomic orbital

An atomic orbital is a region around an atom's nucleus where an electron is likely to be found. Think of it as a "cloud" around the nucleus, where the cloud's shape and size determine the probability of finding an electron in that space. Different orbitals have different shapes (like spheres or dumbbells) and energy levels. Understanding atomic orbitals helps explain how atoms bond and interact with each other, forming the basis for chemistry and the behavior of matter.