What are the different types of orbitals and how do they contribute to the electronic structure of an atom?
There are four types of orbitals: s, p, d, and f. These orbitals have different shapes and orientations in space. The s orbital is spherical, the p orbital is dumbbell-shaped, the d orbital is cloverleaf-shaped, and the f orbital is complex. Orbitals help determine the arrangement of electrons around the nucleus of an atom, which in turn influences the atom's chemical properties and reactivity.