Orbitals: lobes vs. radial nodes
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Re: Orbitals: lobes vs. radial nodes
A lobe is essentially the same thing as what we consider an orbital to be (e.g. where an electron can exist in an atom). A node is where electrons cannot exist. Radial nodes imply that the place where electrons can't exist are in a radial position relative to the nucleus whereas something like an angular node is like the xy plane that cuts through the more complicated orbitals.
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Re: Orbitals: lobes vs. radial nodes
A lobe and a radial node are closer to opposites. A lobe refers to a high probability density area of finding an electron. A 2p orbital has 2 lobes, most 3d orbitals have 4 lobes with the exception of 3dz^2 which has 3.
A radial node (or any node) is a area with zero probability density of finding an electron, for example inside the nucleus. This is expressed as the nodal plane, also referred to as an angular node, in the 2p orbitals, or the 2 nodal planes in the 3d orbitals. A radial node is the same concept but represents an area of zero probability at some radial distance r from the nucleus.
A radial node (or any node) is a area with zero probability density of finding an electron, for example inside the nucleus. This is expressed as the nodal plane, also referred to as an angular node, in the 2p orbitals, or the 2 nodal planes in the 3d orbitals. A radial node is the same concept but represents an area of zero probability at some radial distance r from the nucleus.
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