Definition of orbital (Entry 3 of 3) physics: a mathematically described region around a nucleus in an atom or molecule that may contain zero, one, or two electrons Electrons arrange themselves in cloudlike regions around the nucleus called orbitals.
Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.Related to orbital: Electron orbital
or·bi·tal
(ôr′bĭ-tl)adj.
n. The wave function of an electron in an atom or molecule, indicating the electron's probable location.
orbital
(ˈɔːbɪtəl) adj2. (of a motorway or major road circuit) circling a large city
n3. (Atomic Physics) a region surrounding an atomic nucleus in which the probability distribution of the electrons is given by a wave function
ˈorbitallyadv
or•bit•al
(ˈɔr bɪ tl)adj. n. 2.
a. a wave function describing the state of a single electron in an atom or in a molecule.
[1535–45; < New Latin, Medieval Latin orbitālis; see orbit, -al1]
or·bi·tal
(ôr′bĭ-tl) The region within the shell of an atom in which an electron is most likely to be found. One or more orbitals make up each electron shell.
Adj. | 1. | orbital - of or relating to an orbit; 'orbital revolution'; 'orbital velocity' |
2. | orbital - of or relating to the eye socket; 'orbital scale'; 'orbital arch' |
orbital
[ˈɔːbɪtl]ADJ1. (Space) → orbital
orbital space station → estaciónforbital
orbital space station → estaciónforbital
2. (Brit) (Aut) orbital motorway/road → autopistaf/carrera f de circunvalación
orbital
adj → orbital; flight → im Orbit; orbital motion → Kreisbewegungf
orbital
[ˈɔːbɪtəl]n (alsoorbital motorway) → raccordo anulareor·bi·tal
a. orbital. rel. a la órbita;
orbital
adj orbitarioWant to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.
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