The difference between orbit and orbitals is that n orbit refers to the path of an object around another due to gravitational force, like a planet around a star. Orbitals, on the other hand, are probability distributions describing where electrons are likely to be found within an atom’s energy levels.
What is Orbit?
An orbit refers to the path followed by electrons around the nucleus of an atom, describing their motion and energy levels. Orbits can be elliptical, circular, or even more complex depending on the gravitational forces and initial conditions.
What are Orbitals?
Orbitals are regions in space around the nucleus of an atom where electrons are likely to be found. They describe the probability distribution of an electron’s location and its energy within an atom.
Orbitals are characterized by their shape, size, and orientation, and they follow specific rules based on quantum mechanics. The four main types of orbitals are s, p, d, and f, each with distinct shapes and energy levels.
Orbit vs Orbitals
The basic differences between orbit and orbitals are given below
| Aspect | Orbit | Orbital |
| Definition | The region in space where an electron is likely to be found around the nucleus | Region in space where an electron is likely to be found around the nucleus |
| Nature | Classical concept | Quantum mechanical concept |
| Size | Well-defined circular or elliptical path | Probability distribution in 3D space |
| Number | Only a few possible orbits in simple models | Multiple types (s, p, d, f) and energy levels per type |
| Quantum Mechanics | Not consistent with quantum mechanics | Fundamental concept in quantum mechanics |
| Description | Describes the motion of an electron | Describes the probability of finding an electron |