TOP 5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ORBITALS IN ATOM

1. *Orbitals are not like planets*: Unlike planets orbiting the sun in definite paths, electrons in orbitals do not follow fixed trajectories. Instead, they exist as probability distributions around the nucleus.

2. *Shape and size matter*: Orbitals come in different shapes (spherical, dumbbell, etc.) and sizes (1s, 2p, etc.), which affect how electrons occupy them and influence chemical bonding.

3. *Energy levels differ*: Orbitals have distinct energy levels, with lower-energy orbitals (like 1s) being closer to the nucleus and higher-energy orbitals (like 3d) being farther away.

4. *Electron spin matters*: Each orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons, which must have opposite spins (up and down). This spin pairing is crucial for understanding chemical reactivity.

5. *Hybridization happens*: Atomic orbitals can mix and form hybrid orbitals (like sp3 or d2sp3), which are crucial for understanding molecular geometry and bonding in molecules.