d-orbital

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Diagram showing the shapes and orientations of the three p orbitals-p_x, p_y, and p_z-each with two lobes on opposite sides of the nucleus and aligned along the x, y, or z axis, with nodal planes at the nucleus.

shapes of d orbitals

d-orbital

physics

Also known as: d-state

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June 25, 2026

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Diagram showing the shapes and orientations of the three p orbitals-p_x, p_y, and p_z-each with two lobes on opposite sides of the nucleus and aligned along the x, y, or z axis, with nodal planes at the nucleus. — atomic orbital Figure 3: The boundary surfaces of the three p orbitals of a given shell. They are labeled according to their orientation relative to the three axes. An electron described by one of these wave functions will not be found at the nucleus; there is a nodal plane running through the nucleus between the two lobes.

In chemistry and physics, a d-orbital is a type of mathematical function, known as a wave function, that describes the behavior of electrons within an atom or molecule. Specifically, d-orbitals are characterized by their shape, which is more complex than the spherical s-orbitals or the dumbbell-shaped p-orbitals. There are five distinct d-orbitals, each with a unique spatial orientation. These orbitals are crucial for understanding the chemical properties of transition metals, as they are often partially filled in these elements. The energy levels and interactions of d-orbitals are fundamental to theories like crystal-field theory and ligand-field theory, which explain the color and magnetic properties of coordination compounds.1234

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crystal
Covalent bonds
Filled atomic shells with d-orbitals have an important role in covalent bonding. Electrons in atomic orbits have angular momentum (L), which is quantized in integer (n) multiples of Planck’s constant h: L = nh. Electron orbitals with n = 0 are called s-states, with n = 1 are
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Filled atomic shells with d-orbitals have an important role in covalent bonding. Electrons in atomic orbits have angular momentum (L), which is quantized in integer (n) multiples of Planck’s constant h: L = nh. Electron orbitals with n = 0 are called s-states, with n = 1 are
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chemical bonding
Quantum numbers
…called p orbitals; and a d subshell (l = 2) consists of five orbitals, called d orbitals. The individual orbitals are labeled with the magnetic quantum number, m_l, which can take the 2l + 1 values l, l − 1,…, −l. The orbital occupied in the lowest energy state of…
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…called p orbitals; and a d subshell (l = 2) consists of five orbitals, called d orbitals. The individual orbitals are labeled with the magnetic quantum number, m_l, which can take the 2l + 1 values l, l − 1,…, −l. The orbital occupied in the lowest energy state of…
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chemical bonding
Hypervalence
…the first shell in which d orbitals are available. (As noted above, these orbitals are occupied after the 4s orbitals have been filled and account for the occurrence of the transition metals in period 4.) It is therefore argued that atoms of this and subsequent periods can utilize the empty…
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…the first shell in which d orbitals are available. (As noted above, these orbitals are occupied after the 4s orbitals have been filled and account for the occurrence of the transition metals in period 4.) It is therefore argued that atoms of this and subsequent periods can utilize the empty…
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transition metal
Theories of transition-metal complexes
…has been noted, partially filled d orbitals account for the characteristic chemical properties of the regular transition metals, both as a class and as individuals. The interpretation and understanding of the chemical and physical properties of these elements thus depends heavily upon the description of these dⁿ (n is one…
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…has been noted, partially filled d orbitals account for the characteristic chemical properties of the regular transition metals, both as a class and as individuals. The interpretation and understanding of the chemical and physical properties of these elements thus depends heavily upon the description of these dⁿ (n is one…
Read More