Nodal Planes

[paulacamara1E]

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?

[Chem_Mod]

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.

[Chem_Mod]

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: