What does the "x" indicate in (i.e.) the 2px state? [ENDORSED]

[EmilyJoo_1G]

Today, Prof went over an example where an atom with the quantum numbers n=2, l=2, and ml= -1 would be in the 2px state. What does the "x" mean and how did he arrive at 2px using the quantum numbers?

[Gerald Bernal1I]

The x indicates which plane the 2p orbital is in. The two orbitals can lie on the x, y, or z plane. https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-5 ... 63712171dd

[Michelle Chan 1J]

I think x,y, and z correlate to the planes. He derived x by looking at the table from the slides.

[EvaLi_3J]

I believe that x just means the x plane. Because the orbitals are 3D models, so we have x, y, and z planes. There could be multiple p orbitals in one atom, and they are normally arranged in different directions. To distinguish them, we use x to indicate the one that goes along the direction of the x-xis.

Hope that helps, and correct me if I'm wrong!

[Trent Yamamoto 2J]

The x is in reference to the plane, among the x, y, and z planes

[Patricia Chan 1C]

I believe the x is representative for the plane. There are three planes, x, y, and z. Hope that helps.