nodal plane

[Funmi Baruwa]

What exactly is a nodal plane and what is its function?

[Jeffrey Doeve 2I]

Based on what we need to know about the Schrodinger's Wave Function Equation, we just know that a nodal plane is where the electron density distribution is 0. Why? I think the nodal plane represents the area where the wave function is squared(Remember the example sin graph: It can be squared and there will be a spot on the graph that is 0). Also, if you want to think of it based on the shapes, it is the rectangle that divides the shapes. This explains why the s orbital does not have a nodal plane.

[Funmi Baruwa]

ohh okay thank you very much!!

[Funmi Baruwa]

so could you basically say that a nodal plane is, in a sense, equal to when psi^2 = 0?

[Jeffrey Doeve 2I]

Yeah, I think that is fine. Im not a hundred percent sure, but based on the squared sin graph that looks like (M) it would be a correct deduction!

[Funmi Baruwa]

alright thank you very much :)