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Chemistry

Orbital Shapes

Quick fact

The s orbital is spherical, but p orbitals have a node (zero probability region) at the nucleus, so electrons in p orbitals never actually touch the nucleus.

Why this is interesting

You can't pinpoint exactly where an electron is, but you can map the 'cloud' where it’s most likely to be. Why do those clouds take on such distinct shapes—spheres, dumbbells, and cloverleaves?