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Electrons Are Probability Clouds
- Electrons are best pictured as probability clouds rather than planetary orbits around the nucleus.
- Denser regions of the cloud indicate higher probability of finding an electron at that location.
Know The Four Orbital Shapes
- Atomic orbitals come in four main shapes you should know for the MCAT: s, p, d, and f.
- s is spherical, p is dumbbell-shaped, and d resembles a four-leaf clover.
Master Electron Configuration Rules
- Fill orbitals from lowest to highest energy using the Aufbau principle and use Hund's rule when placing electrons in degenerate orbitals.
- Write configurations in noble-gas shorthand and practice problems until it feels automatic.