pOrbital

Porbital, or p orbital, is the atomic orbital with angular momentum quantum number l equals 1. In any principal quantum level n greater than or equal to 2, there are three p orbitals, typically labeled p_x, p_y, and p_z, each oriented along a Cartesian axis. For a given n, these orbitals are degenerate in energy in the absence of external fields or relativistic effects.

Each p orbital has a dumbbell-shaped electron density with a nodal plane that passes through the nucleus. The p subshell can hold six electrons, two in each orbital, with opposite spins. The magnetic quantum number m_l can take values -1, 0, and +1, corresponding to the three distinct orientations of the p orbitals.

In chemistry, p orbitals play a central role in bonding and molecular structure. They participate in sigma bonds through end-to-end overlap with other orbitals and in pi bonds via side-by-side overlap of parallel p orbitals. The combination of s and p orbitals in valence shells underpins the common geometries of many molecules, and p orbitals are central to hybridization concepts such as sp, sp2, and sp3, which explain linear, trigonal planar, and tetrahedral shapes, among others. P orbitals also form molecular orbitals in diatomic and polyatomic species, contributing to bond order and magnetic properties.

Visualization: p_x, p_y, and p_z are oriented along the x, y, and z axes, respectively, and can mix with other orbitals to form the valence electronic structure of atoms beyond helium.