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🛰️ In space 👁️ Near the eye 🔬 By electron shells
orbitally

orbitally

8.4
About how electrons are arranged around an atom
  • adverb
  • /ˈɔrbɪtəli/
  • Specialized
: orbitalmente
  • Electrons are arranged orbitally within the atom to define their energy levels.

Examples

  • Electrons are arranged orbitally in various energy levels.

  • The reaction occurs when two molecules interact orbitally to form a bond.

  • The chemical properties of the element are orbitally determined by its electron configuration.

  • Scientists studied how the atoms were orbitally arranged in the new compound.

  • The orbitally hybridized atoms form stronger bonds.

  • The chemical properties of the element are orbitally determined by its electron configuration.

  • Scientists studied how the atoms were orbitally arranged in the new compound.

Surface Forms

orbitally positive

Morphology

orbitally = orbital (semi-transparent) = orbit + al + ly

Formally derived from 'orbital' + '-ly', but the scientific sense (electron orbitals) is specialized and may not be obvious to general learners.

Etymology

Orbitally uses the same root as orbit (from Latin orbita, 'path' or 'track'). Scientists used that idea of a path to talk about where electrons are, so orbitally can mean 'in a way that relates to the paths or positions of electrons around an atom'.