The angular part of the wave function depends on and m values and is often referred as atomic orbital. The shapes of these atomic orbital’s depend upon angles which determine geometry of the atom. Mathematical expressions for angular wave functions of s and p orbital’s are given in.

The expression for s-orbital has no angular dependence and hence is spherically symmetrical. The physical interpretation of angular wave function is given subsequently in the form of shape of orbital in section.

It may be summarized that
(i)    radial part of wave function R ( r) depends upon quantum number n, 1 and gives the distribution of electron w.r.t its distance form the nucleus.
(ii)    the point at which R (r) changes sign or R (r) = 0 is called a nodal point.
(iii)    s-orbital’s have (n-1) nodes; p-orbital’s (n-2) nodes , d-orbital’s (n-3) nodes, and f-orbital’s (n-4) nodes.
(iv)    the angular wave function depends on and m values and is often referred as atomic orbital’s.
(v)    Shapes of atomic orbital’s depends on angles and determine geometry of the atom, and
(vi)    s-orbital shave no angular dependence and hence spherically symmetrical.

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