Orbitals.
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This
diagram is a somewhat more realistic representation of the electrons in
the outer energy level(electron shell) of a carbon atom. The four blue
balloons represent regions where each of the electrons is likely to be.
Think of the electrons in this representation not as particles but as waves.
The 109° angle shown in the figure is actually quite important because
it determines the bond angles that carbon forms with other atoms, especially
for other carbons!
For example this next diagram represents a vitamin A molecule. Note
that the carbons(grey) are not strung out in a straight line but in a zig
zag pattern. That's because carbon's single bonds are not at 90° or
a 180° angles but are at the corners of a tetrahedron
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