Question

Distinguish between orbit and orbital.

Answer 1

Hint: The examples of orbits are K, L, M, etc which have a principal quantum number of 1, 2, 3, etc. Orbitals are the area in orbit where the electron density is likely to be higher. s, p, d and f are the examples of orbitals.

Complete step by step solution:
Below are some basic details about orbit and orbitals.

Orbit	Orbital
- Orbit is a circular path around the nucleus around which an electron revolves.	- Orbital is a space around the nucleus where the probability to find an electron is very high.
- The motion of electrons is planar in orbitals.	- The motion of electrons is in free space, meaning it is three dimensional in orbitals.
- It can have maximum \[2{{n}^{2}}\]numbers of electrons.	- It can have a maximum of 2 electrons.
- It does not have a directional character.	- It has a directional character.
- Orbits are circular.	- Orbitals have their specific shapes.

Thus, we can conclude that orbit is a planar path while orbital is a region around the nucleus where the probability to find electrons are high.

Additional information:
Orbit represents the path of the electron around the nucleus and it is very much similar to a shell which represents certain areas around the atom where it is said that electrons found in that area have the same energy. Orbit and shell are very much alike but subshell and orbital are two different things. Subshell represents the azimuthal quantum number(l) and the orbital represents the magnetic quantum number(m).

Note: Do not get confused with orbit, orbital, shell and subshell as they have different meanings and are often very confusing. Orbit is a circular path around which an electron revolves. Orbital is a space around the nucleus where the probability of finding an electron is very high.