Atomic orbitals: 4f electron density

This page addresses the 4f_y(3x²-y²) and 4f_x(x²-3y²) electron density functions, both of which are only in the general set of 4f orbitals. See below for links to images of the electron densities of the other 4f orbitals.

This page displays the electron density of the 4f_x(x²-3y²) orbital as a "dot-density" diagram. High density of dots in a region denotes high electron density.

The 4f_y(3x²-y²) and 4f_x(x²-3y²) orbitals are identical in appearance and differ only in direction. One can be mapped to the other by a 90° rotation about the z-axis. This is best seen when viewing both together.

Using Jmol

You can use your mouse to manipulate the "orbital" in the "Jmol" image above.

• Click on the Jmol text in the above diagram to show a popup menu.
• To rotate about the x and y directions, drag mouse around the image
• To rotate about the z direction (which comes out of the screen towards you), hold shift and drag mouse horizontally
• To zoom, hold shift key down and drag mouse vertically
• To reset the image, hold down shift key and double click ony part of the image not containing dots

Links to 4f electron "dot-density" functions

• General set
  • 4f_z³
  • 4f_xz² and 4f_yz²
  • 4f_y(3x²-y²) and 4f_x(x²-3y²)
  • 4f_xyz and 4f_z(x²-y²)
• Cubic set
  • 4f_x³, 4f_y³, 4f_z³
  • 4f_x(z²-y²), 4f_y(z²-x²), 4f_z(x²-y²), and 4f_xyz