1-2 Atomic Structure:Orbitals Quantum Mechanical Model Behavior of a specific electron in an atom described by mathematical expression called a wave equation Wave equation is similar to mathematical expression used to describe motion of waves in fluids -Solution of wave equation is called a wave function -Wave function is an orbital Orbital denoted by Greek letter psi, Plot of 2 describes volume of space around nucleus that the electron is most likely to occupy Electron cloud has no sharp boundary Quantum Mechanical Model ▪ Behavior of a specific electron in an atom described by mathematical expression called a wave equation ▪ Wave equation is similar to mathematical expression used to describe motion of waves in fluids ▪ Solution of wave equation is called a wave function ▪ Wave function is an orbital ▪ Orbital denoted by Greek letter psi, ▪ Plot of 2 describes volume of space around nucleus that the electron is most likely to occupy ▪ Electron cloud has no sharp boundary 1-2 Atomic Structure: Orbitals