Atomic Structure:Orbitals How are the electrons distributed in an atom? ■ Quantum mechanics:behavior of a specific electron in an atoms is descrbied by a mathematical expression called a wave equation The solution of the wave equation is called an orbital An orbital describes the volume of space around a nucleus where an electron is mostly likely to be foundAtomic Structure: Orbitals „ Quantum mechanics: behavior of a specific electron in an atoms is descrbied by a mathematical expression called a wave equation „ The solution of the wave equation is called an orbital „ An orbital describes the volume of space around a nucleus where an electron is mostly likely to be found How are the electrons distributed in an atom?