Orbital Viewer, written by David Manthey, is a fantastic program for displaying electronic orbitals. The program has many different orbital-viewing options that are somewhat cumbersome to learn how to use. However, it is easy enough to learn how to use the program at a basic level. It is a great resource for teaching students about orbital shapes and the rules, nomenclature and notation of the quantum numbers n, l and m. Below are screen shots I have captured of 2s, 3p and 3d orbitals while using the program:
This program provides a great way for students to visualize the very abstract concept of the electronic orbital. I have found it extremely helpful when teaching concepts such as quantum number notation, electronic shells, electronic subshells, nodes in orbitals, the various quantum number rules (the quantum number, l, must be an integer between 0 and n - 1, for example), and many other ideas related to electronic orbitals.
atomic structure, atomic theory, orbital shapes and the rules, nomenclature and notation of the quantum numbers n, l and m.
Access Orbital Viewer HERE.
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Orbital Viewer was created by David Manthey. See his program notes here.
NGSS
Students that demonstrate understanding can develop models to illustrate the changes in the composition of the nucleus of the atom and the energy released during the processes of fission, fusion, and radioactive decay.
*More information about all DCI for HS-PS1 can be found at https://www.nextgenscience.org/dci-arrangement/hs-ps1-matter-and-its-interactions and further resources at https://www.nextgenscience.org.
Students that demonstrate understanding can develop models to illustrate the changes in the composition of the nucleus of the atom and the energy released during the processes of fission, fusion, and radioactive decay.
Assessment does not include quantitative calculation of energy released. Assessment is limited to alpha, beta, and gamma radioactive decays.
Emphasis is on simple qualitative models, such as pictures or diagrams, and on the scale of energy released in nuclear processes relative to other kinds of transformations.