The terms "subshells" and "orbitals" are used in the context of atomic structure to describe the distribution of electrons around an atom's nucleus. While the terms "s/p/d/f" do represent the different subshells, it's important to understand that they are not meant to be taken literally as the shape or movement of physical clouds.
The electron cloud model is a visualization tool used to represent the probability distribution of finding an electron in a particular region around the nucleus. The subshells, designated as s, p, d, and f, correspond to specific shapes and orientations of the electron cloud.
The s subshell is spherical in shape and represents the region where electrons with the lowest energy are found. The p subshell has a dumbbell shape and represents regions where electrons with slightly higher energy can be found. The d and f subshells have more complex shapes and correspond to even higher energy levels.
While the term "orbitals" might give the impression of electrons orbiting around the nucleus, it is more accurate to think of them as regions or spaces where electrons are most likely to be found. Electrons do not follow a defined path like planets around the Sun but exist in a probabilistic cloud of potential positions.
The use of terms like "subshells" and "orbitals" is a convention that has developed over time to help describe and understand the behavior of electrons within atoms. Although they may not perfectly reflect the physical reality of electrons, they provide a useful framework for discussing atomic structure and chemical properties.