d orbitals are a type of atomic orbital with angular momentum quantum number $l = 2$. They have complex shapes, including cloverleaf patterns and a toroidal shape.
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d orbitals exist starting from the third principal energy level ($n = 3$).
There are five d orbitals in each energy level where they appear: $d_{xy}$, $d_{xz}$, $d_{yz}$, $d_{x^2-y^2}$, and $d_{z^2}$.
d orbitals can hold a maximum of 10 electrons due to their five unique orientations and two possible spin states for each electron.
The shapes of d orbitals play a significant role in the bonding and properties of transition metals.
d orbitals contribute to the splitting of energy levels in a crystal field, leading to phenomena such as color in transition metal complexes.
Review Questions
What is the angular momentum quantum number (l) associated with d orbitals?
How many electrons can d orbitals collectively hold?
Name at least three different types of d orbitals.
Related terms
Quantum Numbers: Set of four numbers used to describe an electron's state in an atom: principal ($n$), angular momentum ($l$), magnetic ($m_l$), and spin ($m_s$).
Transition Metals: Elements found in groups 3-12 on the periodic table that often have partially filled d orbitals.
Crystal Field Theory: A model describing the breaking of degeneracies of electron orbital states, usually d or f orbitals, due to a static electric field produced by a surrounding charge distribution.