Orbital
/ˈɔːrbɪtl/
Definitions
2 meaningsRelating to or constituting an orbit, or relating to the bony socket of the eye.
/ˈɔːrbɪtl/
Relating to or resembling an orbit or the eye socket.
The Hubble Space Telescope has provided stunning images of celestial bodies in orbital paths.
💡 Simply: Something that goes around in a circle, like the path a planet takes around the sun, or the space around your eye.
👶 For kids: Something that goes around in a circle, like how the Earth goes around the sun, or the space where your eyeball sits.
More Examples
A fracture of the orbital rim can cause serious problems with vision.
The satellite was launched into a geostationary orbital position.
How It's Used
"The orbital path of a planet around the sun."
"An orbital fracture of the eye socket can cause significant pain."
A mathematical function describing the wave-like behavior of an electron, representing the probability of finding an electron at a specific location within an atom.
/ˈɔːrbɪtl/
The path of an electron around the nucleus of an atom.
The shape of an atomic orbital affects the molecule's chemical properties.
💡 Simply: Imagine an electron zipping around the center of an atom. The orbital is the space where the electron is most likely to be.
👶 For kids: The space around the center of a tiny thing called an atom where an even tinier thing called an electron likes to hang out.
More Examples
Scientists use quantum mechanics to understand electron orbitals.
Each orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons.
How It's Used
"Electrons occupy specific orbitals, defining the atom's properties."
"The shape of the atomic orbital determines the chemical bonding."
From Late Latin *orbitalis*, from *orbita* 'track, course, orbit'. The term gained prominence in astronomy and, subsequently, in anatomy.
The word 'orbital' emerged in the 17th century with the development of astronomy. It was later adapted for anatomy.
Memory tip
Think of something that goes around (orbits) the eye – an orbital bone.