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Qmechanic ♦
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edit approved Jul 10, 2018 at 15:19
CAF
edit approved Jul 10, 2018 at 15:19
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If 2p$2p$ is circular, why is 2px$2p_x$ not circular and what does x$x$ mean?

I was reading about atomic orbitals. From Bohr's model, electron orbitals are considered circular. But as I saw the sub-orbitals like 2px$2p_x$, 3d(x^2-y^2)$3d_{x^2-y^2}$ I noticed something strange. These sub-orbitals aren't circular. How can that be possible if 2p$2p$ and 3d$3d$ are circular? Also why is 3d$3d$ defined like this (x^2-y^2)$(x^2-y^2)$? What does this actually mean?

I don't know how to write mathjax. Also I couldn't decide where to post it.

If 2p is circular, why is 2px not circular and what does x mean?

I was reading about atomic orbitals. From Bohr's model, electron orbitals are considered circular. But as I saw the sub-orbitals like 2px, 3d(x^2-y^2) I noticed something strange. These sub-orbitals aren't circular. How can that be possible if 2p and 3d are circular? Also why is 3d defined like this (x^2-y^2)? What does this actually mean?

I don't know how to write mathjax. Also I couldn't decide where to post it.

If $2p$ is circular, why is $2p_x$ not circular and what does $x$ mean?

I was reading about atomic orbitals. From Bohr's model, electron orbitals are considered circular. But as I saw the sub-orbitals like $2p_x$, $3d_{x^2-y^2}$ I noticed something strange. These sub-orbitals aren't circular. How can that be possible if $2p$ and $3d$ are circular? Also why is $3d$ defined like this $(x^2-y^2)$? What does this actually mean?

I don't know how to write mathjax. Also I couldn't decide where to post it.

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Theoretical
Theoretical
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If 2p is circular, why is 2px not circular and what does x mean?

I was reading about atomic orbitals. From Bohr's model, electron orbitals are considered circular. But as I saw the sub-orbitals like 2px, 3d(x^2-y^2) I noticed something strange. These sub-orbitals aren't circular. How can that be possible if 2p and 3d are circular? Also why is 3d defined like this (x^2-y^2)? What does this actually mean?

I don't know how to write mathjax. Also I couldn't decide where to post it.