Nodal Planes
Moderators: Chem_Mod, Chem_Admin
-
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2018 11:05 am
Nodal Planes
Dr. Lavelle explained the concept of nodal planes during lecture but I was reviewing my notes and got quite confused. Can someone further explain this concept and what is its importance when it comes to orbitals and s orbitals not having them?
Re: Nodal Planes
Nodal planes are areas where there is 0 probability of finding an electron. When looking at the shape of a p-orbital, one can find that plane where there is no probability of finding an electron. When looking at the shape of a s-orbital (spherical), there is no node or nodal plane.
Re: Nodal Planes
A node is a point where the probability of finding an electron is 0. The s orbital is a sphere shape and has no nodes. The angular momentum quantum number for the p orbitals is 1, it has one angular node. The angular momentum quantum number for the d orbital is 2, so it has two angular nodes.
Here is an image that demonstrates this:
Here is an image that demonstrates this:

Return to “Wave Functions and s-, p-, d-, f- Orbitals”
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest