1
$\begingroup$

I've heard both of the following:

  • An orbital is a region where there's a 90% probability of finding an electron
  • An orbital is a region where an electron spends 90% of its time

Are these essentially the same things? Or which one is correct and why? Edit- I've heard both from veritable sources and only need a confirmation not a precise definition.

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
6
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ essentially the same thing $\endgroup$ – porphyrin Apr 25 '18 at 14:41
  • 4
    $\begingroup$ If an electron spends 90% of its time in an orbital, then the probability of finding an electron there is 90%; they're interchangeable in my opinion. Orbitals are where we think electrons exist anyway. $\endgroup$ – user60221 Apr 25 '18 at 14:48
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @KianStevens Like every statement in your comment is incorrect. :/ $\endgroup$ – Mithoron Apr 25 '18 at 16:26
  • $\begingroup$ @Mithoron, can you please tell me what's correct then ? $\endgroup$ – Plusminus Apr 26 '18 at 17:29
  • $\begingroup$ chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/39438/… $\endgroup$ – Mithoron Apr 26 '18 at 17:33