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s-orbital
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Diagram showing two types of electron orbitals in atoms: a spherical s orbital on the left and a dumbbell-shaped p orbital on the right, each centered around a labeled nucleus with x, y, and z axes. Diagram showing electron density shapes for atomic orbitals: A spherical s orbital at the top left, and three dumbbell-shaped p orbitals oriented along the x, y, and z axes below, each with labeled axes. A blue shaded sphere represents the boundary surface of an s orbital, with red arrows pointing outward to illustrate the region where an electron is most likely to be found according to its wavefunction.
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s-orbital

physics
Also known as: s-state
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Diagram showing two types of electron orbitals in atoms: a spherical s orbital on the left and a dumbbell-shaped p orbital on the right, each centered around a labeled nucleus with x, y, and z axes.
electron orbitals in atoms (Left) s orbital; (right) p orbital.

In physics and chemistry, an s-orbital is a mathematical function, known as a wave function, that describes the behavior of electrons around an atomic nucleus. It is often visualized as a three-dimensional region where there is a 95% probability of finding an electron.

Key characteristics of s-orbitals:
* Shape: All s-orbitals are spherically symmetrical, meaning an electron occupying an s-orbital has an equal probability of being found at any orientation from the nucleus at a given distance.
* Designation: They are typically designated by a number followed by the letter 's', such as 1s or 2s. The number indicates the energy level, with lower numbers representing energy levels closer to the nucleus.
* Electron Capacity: Each orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons, which must have opposite spins.
* Significance: The unique property of s-orbitals, where electrons can be found at the nucleus, plays a crucial role in the structure of the periodic table and the resulting properties of elements and compounds.12

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. orbital
  2. chemical bonding - Shapes of atomic orbitals

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