Animation of the structure of the 5f xz2 orbital, one of the seven 5f atomic orbitals. Orbitals contain an atom磗 electrons, which are found around the central atomic nucleus not seen. Each orbital can hold two electrons. This 5f orbital is one of two six_lobed 5f orbitals the others are 5f yz2, 5f xx2_3y2 and 5f y3x2_y2 around the atom. The others have different geometries. An atomic orbital is a mathematical model of the location of an electron around an atomic nucleus. Electrons do not orbit the nucleus as might be imagined, but instead exist as a standing wave around it. The phases of the wave are arbitrarily coloured red negative and blue positive.