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Britain & the wider world: 1745 -1901
1l the quest for political stability: germany, 1871-1991
The cold war
Inter-war germany
Medieval period: 1066 -1509
2d religious conflict and the church in england, c1529-c1570
2o democracy and nazism: germany, 1918-1945
1f industrialisation and the people: britain, c1783-1885
1c the tudors: england, 1485-1603
2m wars and welfare: britain in transition, 1906-1957
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2n revolution and dictatorship: russia, 1917-1953
2s the making of modern britain, 1951-2007
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2
0
sheila
08/12/2025
Chemistry
Atomic Orbitals - handwritten
44
•
8 Dec 2025
•
Ever wondered how electrons actually arrange themselves around an atom's... Show more
Think of atomic orbitals as designated zones around the nucleus where you'll find electrons hanging out. Each orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, but here's the catch - they must have opposite spins (imagine one spinning clockwise, the other anticlockwise).
Electrons live in shells around the nucleus, and each shell gets a number called the principal quantum number (n). Shell 1 is closest to the nucleus, then shell 2, shell 3, and so on. The further out you go, the more space there is for electrons.
There's actually a neat formula to work out how many electrons can fit in each shell: 2n². So shell 1 holds 2 electrons maximum, shell 2 holds 8, shell 3 holds 18, and shell 4 can pack in 32 electrons.
The really interesting bit is that there are different types of orbitals - s, p, d, and f orbitals - each with their own unique shapes. Every single electron shell contains at least one s orbital, which has a perfectly spherical shape.
Key Insight: Think of orbitals like different types of rooms in a hotel - some are small and round (s orbitals), others have different shapes, but each can only accommodate 2 electrons maximum!
P orbitals have a distinctive dumbbell shape and come in sets of three per shell (except shell 1, which is too small). These three p orbitals point in different directions - along the x, y, and z axes.
As shells get bigger, even more orbital types appear. D orbitals show up from shell 3 onwards, and you get 5 of them per shell. F orbitals are the most complex, with 7 different orientations, but they only appear in shell 4 and above.
Here's how it all fits together: Shell 1 just has 1 s orbital (2 electrons max). Shell 2 has 1 s + 3 p orbitals (8 electrons max). Shell 3 adds 5 d orbitals on top (18 electrons max). Shell 4 throws in 7 f orbitals as well (32 electrons max).
Scientists call groups of the same orbital type in the same shell subshells. So you might hear about the "2p subshell" (the three p orbitals in shell 2) or the "3d subshell" (the five d orbitals in shell 3).
Memory Trick: Remember the orbital sequence as "Some People Don't Function" - S, P, D, F - to recall the order they appear in!
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Ever wondered how electrons actually arrange themselves around an atom's nucleus? Atomic orbitals are like invisible parking spaces for electrons, each with specific shapes and rules about how many electrons can fit inside.
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Think of atomic orbitals as designated zones around the nucleus where you'll find electrons hanging out. Each orbital can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, but here's the catch - they must have opposite spins (imagine one spinning clockwise, the other anticlockwise).
Electrons live in shells around the nucleus, and each shell gets a number called the principal quantum number (n). Shell 1 is closest to the nucleus, then shell 2, shell 3, and so on. The further out you go, the more space there is for electrons.
There's actually a neat formula to work out how many electrons can fit in each shell: 2n². So shell 1 holds 2 electrons maximum, shell 2 holds 8, shell 3 holds 18, and shell 4 can pack in 32 electrons.
The really interesting bit is that there are different types of orbitals - s, p, d, and f orbitals - each with their own unique shapes. Every single electron shell contains at least one s orbital, which has a perfectly spherical shape.
Key Insight: Think of orbitals like different types of rooms in a hotel - some are small and round (s orbitals), others have different shapes, but each can only accommodate 2 electrons maximum!
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P orbitals have a distinctive dumbbell shape and come in sets of three per shell (except shell 1, which is too small). These three p orbitals point in different directions - along the x, y, and z axes.
As shells get bigger, even more orbital types appear. D orbitals show up from shell 3 onwards, and you get 5 of them per shell. F orbitals are the most complex, with 7 different orientations, but they only appear in shell 4 and above.
Here's how it all fits together: Shell 1 just has 1 s orbital (2 electrons max). Shell 2 has 1 s + 3 p orbitals (8 electrons max). Shell 3 adds 5 d orbitals on top (18 electrons max). Shell 4 throws in 7 f orbitals as well (32 electrons max).
Scientists call groups of the same orbital type in the same shell subshells. So you might hear about the "2p subshell" (the three p orbitals in shell 2) or the "3d subshell" (the five d orbitals in shell 3).
Memory Trick: Remember the orbital sequence as "Some People Don't Function" - S, P, D, F - to recall the order they appear in!
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Explore key concepts in atomic structure, including ionization energy trends, electron configurations, mass spectrometry, and the historical development of atomic models. This summary provides a comprehensive overview for AQA AS Physical Chemistry students, focusing on essential principles like the Pauli Exclusion Principle and Hund's Rule.
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ChemistryExplore the fundamentals of atomic structure, electron configuration, and ionization energies. This summary covers key concepts such as the Aufbau principle, Hund's rule, and the Pauli exclusion principle, along with detailed explanations of electron orbitals and their significance in ionization processes. Ideal for students studying physical chemistry.
ChemistryExplore the fundamentals of atomic orbitals and electron configurations, including key concepts such as quantum numbers, the Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle, and Hund's rule. This summary provides a clear overview of s, p, d, and f orbitals, their capacities, and the principles governing electron arrangement within atoms.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Sociology