Atomic Orbitals, Visualized Dynamically

Visuals of quantum orbitals are always so static. What happens when an electron transitions? A current must flow to conserve the probability. What does that look like?!

Nick Lucid - Creator/Host/Writer/Editor/Animator
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VIDEO ANNOTATIONS/CARDS

What is a Quantum Wave Function?
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RELATED YOUTUBE VIDEOS

Kurzgesagt on Matter:

Stated Clearly on Atoms:
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TIME CODES

00:00 Cold Open
00:31 Seeing Atoms is Hard
01:10 Atomic Structure
01:52 History of the Atom
02:24 What are Orbitals?
02:57 Schrodinger's Equation
04:00 Spherical Coordinates
04:35 Orbital Shapes
05:45 Orbital Sizes
06:20 Flow of Probability
07:17 Summary
08:04 Outro
08:20 Featured Comments

[theorfa]

"Position is a pretty pointless property" Wow, that was subtle.

[Dmittry]

When your wife calls you and asks where are you at 2 AM. "Position is a pretty pointless property, honey"

[evilotis]

"one angle draws a curve, and the other makes it a surface." ....and here's today's Science Asylum light bulb moment! you really are the best, Nick ❤️

[dand.n.m]

that small pause before "to the timeline" was AWESOME

[modolief]

2:55 "Position is a pretty much pointless property" -- wow, you said that with absolutely no smirk, well done.

[Fomites]

I'm almost seventy. I studied chemistry at university at the introductory level for a medical degree and I have gradually realised how little I knew (and still know). Nick makes this accessible for those of us like myself who have minimal knowledge and who want a deeper understanding. Kudos to you Nick! We love you 🙂 (From Australia).

[McQuokka]

The probability that I learn something every time I watch one of these videos is 100%. There aren't many channels here on the old YT that have that ability.

[maxnao]

I loved the notion of "probability flow". It opens a lot of new ways of looking orbital deformation.

[madhuverma]

I was solving Schrodinger's equation for hydrogen atom when the notification of this video pops up.... I realised that I was certainly missing physics while working on maths... *Thank you so much Nick for giving me right direction*..

[georganatoly]

The fact that probability is conserved like energy is like the weirdest/coolest weird/cool aspect of quantum mechanics. And understanding probability flow mathematically is probably key to understanding the detailed nature of how electrons mechanic at all, which again is really neat.

[dumbjeeaspirant]

I have been a JEE Aspirant for the past 2 years but this visualisation opened a wide horizon of understanding

[ProfessorBeautiful]

It will not surprise you that Nick's book (see video description) is utterly fantastic and thorough and deep with many detailed worked problems.

[MrLoerch]

Probably the best visualization I've seen yet! Thank you.

[ZetaFuzzMachine]

I love you Nick! Your videos just keep getting better.
AND it only helps that I've just started Quantum Mechanics and Statistical Mechanics at uni!! Keep em coming!

[shayanmoosavi]

Wow this video was extremely cool. You explained the probability current so good.

We're studying "quantum mechanics I" this semester and I'm loving it so far. We have such a great professor. Yes, quantum mechanics is weird but it's also amazing.

[justdave]

You really help even smooth brain types like myself to understand these types of complicated subjects a little better. Thanks for what you do here Nick.

[royh]

I wish this video was a couple hours longer, im taking physical chemistry in university right now and this video definitely helped simplify such an abstract concept

[Petrov]

Loved it -- one of the best ever. Relaxed, very funny, informative, your "double" - good acting, in summary -- outstanding and thank you a lot

[hectorgrande]

WHY CANT MY QUANTUM PROFESSOR TEACH LIKE YOU DO??!!! Awesome stuff, I've been stuck on fully conceptualizing spherical harmonics for hours, you're a lifesaver!

[seebe]

Explained so easily even a tambourine can understand. If you taught, I would attend.