An orbital describes a probability region for finding an electron at a certain energy level, distance, and orientation as related to the atomic nucleus. Orbitals are described by a set of quantum numbers that describe their location shape and electron capacity. In accord with wave-particle duality, the high probability regions for finding electrons also describe the wavelike motion of electrons in the three-dimensional region of space surrounding an atomic nucleus.

Within each orbital beyond the first orbital there are suborbitals that reflect particular orientations in space (e.g., p orbitals directed along the x, y, or z axis). Each suborbital orbital can hold up to two electrons. Electrons occupy different energy levels in atoms and have different wave properties. The Schrödinger equation relates the energy of a system to its wave properties. This equation employs the three orbital quantum numbers, which describe an orbital, as well...