question_answer 124)

  What is the difference between the terms orbit and orbital

Answer:

  The main differences between orbit and orbital are listed as :

S. No.	Orbit	Orbital
1.	It is a well defined circular or elliptical path around the nucleus in which an electron revolves.	It is the region in space around the nucleus in which the probability of finding the electron is maximum.
2.	All orbits are circular or elliptical.	Orbitals have different shapes, 5-orbital is circular, p-orbital is dumb-bell like in shape.
3.	Orbits are non-directional.	Except 5-orbitals, all other orbitals are directional.
4.	An orbit can accommodate to a maximum of \[2{{n}^{2}}\] electrons, where n is the principal quantum number.	An orbital can accommodate to a maximum of two electrons with opposite spins.
5.	Orbit gives a definite path to an electron. This is against the uncertainty principle.	Orbital does represent a definite path. It represents a region in space, where the electron may be present anywhere. This is in accordance with the uncertainty principle.
6.	Orbit is planar. It considers the motion of the electron in a plane.	It gives a three-dimensional motion to an electron around the nucleus.