Nodal Planes

[Curtis Tam 1J]

Are nodal planes related to nodes in the atom? I know that p, d, and f orbitals have nodal planes so does that contribute at all to the formation of nodes in an atom?

Thx!

[Ethan Mondell 1A]

I think nodes are spherical areas in the atom where the probability of finding electrons is zero while nodal planes are flat cross-sections of the atom in which electrons tend to not travel. They are related by the fact that electrons don't travel in those areas but I think Nodes are typically found between the S orbitals in different energy levels due to its spherical shape.

[Clara Rehmann 1K]

Nodal planes are similar to nodes in that no electrons are found in that space. The difference is that a node is just a single point, while a nodal plane is a "sheet" (remember, we are dealing with 3D space) through which electrons don't travel. Think of it as just a really long/tall node, if that helps.