What is a node?

[Daniel Rivas 3L]

One thing that is confusing me about the Schrodinger equation section is the node definition. What exactly is a node? And also what does it mean by the wavefunction passing 0?

[ssthirkannad]

So my understanding of it is that a node is where the wavefunction passes through zero - meaning it goes from positive to negative or vice versa - rather than just hitting zero and going back the way it came, as though reflected (not changing sign). So while a wavefunction can equal zero, it doesn't necessarily mean that that point is a node if it doesn't cross zero. Hope that helps!

[Clara Hu 1G]

Also, at a node, the wavefunction is zero, so the electron density at the node is also zero, and the probability of finding an electron there is zero.

[Christy Zhao 1H]

Just to reiterate, keep in mind that the node is where the wavefunction passes through zero, it doesn't just reach zero.

[Aya Shokair- Dis 2H]

Yes, correct me if I'm wrong but I think of a node as having zero possibility of an electron being in that space.

[Sophie 1I]

Yes, a node is where the wave function passes through zero