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Hydrogen Atomic Orbitals

1s, 2s, 2p, 3d - the shapes of electron probability distributions.

A free, animated hydrogen atomic orbitals you can read here or embed on any website, from Scrollchart.

Hydrogen Atomic Orbitals

Hydrogen Atomic OrbitalsRadial probability P(r) = r² |R_nl|² and cross-section shape. Nodes = n − l − 1 (radial) + l (angular).1sn=1, l=0, mₗ=0Radial nodes: 0r / a₀P(r)2sn=2, l=0, mₗ=0Radial nodes: 1r / a₀P(r)node2pn=2, l=1, mₗ=0Angular nodes: 1r / a₀P(r)3dn=3, l=2, mₗ=0Angular nodes: 2r / a₀P(r)

3D probability-density visualization of 1s (sphere), 2s (sphere with radial node), 2p (dumbbells), 3d (cloverleaves). Quantum numbers n, l, m_l labeled.

Good for

  • Atomic structure tutorials introducing quantum numbers, orbital shapes, and the radial probability distributions for s, p, and d electrons
  • Chemistry-physics bridge lessons connecting orbital geometry to molecular shape (VSEPR, hybridisation) and the periodic table structure
  • Spectroscopy and MRI explainers grounding the technology in the quantum mechanics of electron (and nuclear) probability distributions

Source & accuracy

This hydrogen atomic orbitals is an editorial illustration built to represent the concept accurately. Where it shows figures, they are typical or representative values chosen to make the relationship clear, not a single underlying dataset. The diagram and its explainer are reviewed and maintained centrally, and updated over time as understanding improves.

What a hydrogen orbital represents

An atomic orbital is not a path the electron travels but a probability distribution: the regions of space where the single electron of a hydrogen atom is most likely to be found, obtained by solving the Schrodinger equation for the atom. Each orbital is labeled by quantum numbers: the principal number n sets energy and size, the angular momentum number l sets shape, and the magnetic number m sets orientation.

The square of the wavefunction gives the probability density, often drawn as a cloud or as a boundary surface enclosing most of that probability.

Shapes of the s, p, and d orbitals

An s orbital (l equals 0) is spherically symmetric; the 1s is a simple sphere and higher s orbitals add concentric nodes. A p orbital (l equals 1) is dumbbell-shaped with two lobes and a node at the nucleus, coming in three orientations along the x, y, and z axes. A d orbital (l equals 2) is more complex, typically four-lobed, with five orientations.

Higher orbitals also gain radial nodes, surfaces of zero probability between regions of density. Hydrogen is the textbook case because its single electron lets the equation be solved exactly, making its orbitals the reference shapes used to describe all atoms.

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Reference

What this is
A free, embeddable, animated hydrogen atomic orbitals for any website.
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Physics educators, Chemistry educators.
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License
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Frequently asked questions

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