P-orbital electrons [ENDORSED]

[Justin Lau 1D]

Do p-orbital electrons move between lobes? Say that if there is one unpaired electron in the px orbital, does it have the ability to move between the two lobes of the px orbital freely? If so, how does it get past the nodal plane of the nucleus?

[Chem_Mod]

Yes, electrons can pass the node and in fact, can even be said to exist in both lobes of the p orbital at the same time! Recall the implications of Heisenberg's uncertainty principle and the wave like properties of electrons.