Question

List the main points of difference between an orbit and an orbital.

Answer 1

The major differences between orbits and orbitals are listed below :

Sl. no.	Orbits	Orbitals
1.	An orbit is the simple planar representation of an electron.	An orbital refers to the dimensional motion of an electron around the nucleus in a three-dimensional motion.
2.	It can be simply defined as the path that gets established in a circular motion by revolving the electron around the nucleus using notations like $K,L,M,N...$ and so on.	An orbital can simply be defined as the space or the region where the electron is likely to be found the most. There are only four orbitals in an orbit - $s,p,d$ and $f$.
3.	The shape of molecules cannot be explained by an orbit as they are non-directional by nature.	The shapes of the molecules can be found out as they are directional by nature.
4.	An orbit that is well-defined goes against the Heisenberg principle.	An ideal orbital agrees with the theory of Heisenberg’s principle.