Eli5 what does the s,p,d and f stand for in atomic orbitals? Like is it short for something or is it like the p on pH lost in time?

Question

Eli5 what does the s,p,d and f stand for in atomic orbitals? Like is it short for something or is it like the p on pH lost in time?

In: 297

Answer 1

Sharp, principal, diffuse, and fundamental. They were names given to sets of lines observed when alkali metals were heated and the resulting light was studied.

Also, the p in pH stands for power. The pH scale is logarithmic, meaning that a pH of 1 corresponds to an H+ concentration of 10 to the -1 power (or 0.1) M. A pH of 2 is 10 to the -2 power, or 0.01 M.

Edit: TIL that this is not what the p in pH stands for. While it might be a neat way to talk about pH when teaching the topic it has no historical basis.

Edit 2: From a translation of the writings of Sorenson, who originated the pH measurement:

– “The magnitude of the hydrogen ion concentration will
accordingly be represented by means of the normality
factor with regard to the hydrogen ion, and this factor
will be written in the form of a negative potenz (power)
of 10. Since I refer to the above in a later section (see
page 159), here I will mention only that I employ the
name “hydrogen ion exponent” and the symbol pH for
the numerical value of this potenz (power).”

I’m going back to my original explanation that it stands for the power of hydrogen.