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Radial Distribution Function

Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2018 3:35 pm
by Diane Kang 2F
The textbook says the radial distribution function (P) can be used to calculate the probability of finding an electron around the nucleus:
P(r) = r^2 R^2 (r).

How is this equation derived and what do its components (r) (R) mean? And does this equation to apply to any electron in any shell/subshell/orbital?

Re: Radial Distribution Function

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2018 11:38 am
by Carissa Young 1K
I don't know how this formula is derived but I think R and r stand for the radii of each of the particles.

Re: Radial Distribution Function

Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2018 1:47 pm
by 904936893
I believe r is the radius and R is the radial wavefunction, which indicates how the wavefunction varies as a particle moves away from the nucleus in any direction. It is a part of the wavefunction equation where Ψ(r, θ , ф) = R(r) x Y(θ, ф)