Electrons and orbitals are fundamental components of atoms that play a crucial role in understanding the behavior and properties of matter. Electrons are negatively charged subatomic particles that orbit around the nucleus of an atom. They carry an elementary unit of electric charge and have a negligible mass compared to protons and neutrons.

The arrangement of these electrons within an atom's orbitals is of utmost significance as it determines the chemical properties and behavior of elements. Orbitals are regions in space where an electron is most likely to be found. These regions are characterized by their shape and energy level.

For example, consider the electron configuration of carbon, which has an atomic number of 6. This means it has six electrons. The first two electrons occupy the 1s orbital, while the remaining four electrons occupy the 2s and 2p orbitals. This arrangement of electrons in carbon's orbitals directly influences its chemical behavior, such as its ability to form covalent bonds.