Hi!
I understand the nodal planes are regions where the likelihood of finding an electron is zero, but why is that important for us to know?
Nodal Plane Importance
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Re: Nodal Plane Importance
Nodal planes help us determine how orbitals are positioned and thus what shapes they take.
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Re: Nodal Plane Importance
Similar to what was answered before, knowing about nodal planes lends support to the models we have about the structure of orbitals. For example, it allows us to know that Px, Py, and Pz are configurations of the p-orbital which lie perpendicular to each other along 3 axes since the electron density in the nodal planes is zero.
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Re: Nodal Plane Importance
The position of a nodal plane also further differentiates an orbital from another (px, py, pz for example). The position of the nodal plane implies how the orbital is shaped and oriented.
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Re: Nodal Plane Importance
The nodal plane is the place where there is the zero probability density. To put it another way, the nodal plane is the place where you cannot find any electrons. Knowing where the nodal planes are helps us zone in on the location of electrons. Hope this helps!
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Re: Nodal Plane Importance
since electrons are not found in the plane, they help create an outline to the shape of the orbital by showing where the electrons are allowed.
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Re: Nodal Plane Importance
Nodal planes allow us to understand the different types of orbitals and why they have certain shapes. The number of nodal planes varies for different orbitals (s has none, p has one, d has two, f has three). In the case of the s orbital, you know there are no nodal planes because the probability of finding an electron is equal in the orbital.
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Re: Nodal Plane Importance
The nodal plane sets some sort of boundary where electrons can be found. Since we know that nodal planes have no electrons, the shape of the orbitals of electrons, or where electrons can be, become easier to understand.
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Re: Nodal Plane Importance
Did Dr. Lavelle say that we do not have to think about nodal planes too much in his lecture? Maybe I'm wrong?
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