p- and d- orbitals and zero e- density
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p- and d- orbitals and zero e- density
I'm having some trouble with some of the topics discussed today in lecture. What does Professor Lavelle mean when he says that p- and d- orbitals have nodal planes and therefore have zero e- density and non-symmetric e- distributions? He also mentioned that s- orbitals have no nodal planes so they have symmetric e- distributions. Thank you!
Re: p- and d- orbitals and zero e- density
To explain the symmetry aspect (I am confused about the density part as well),
the s orbital has symmetry because it is in the shape of a sphere so any way you cut it/look at it, it will be the same meaning the electrons will be in that vicinity
the p and d orbitals do not have symmetry because their shapes, as identified by wave functions, are in nodal planes. So, they could not have symmetry because they are not spherical.
Looking up the shapes online always helps me too so I can physically see it and not have to imagine it.
the s orbital has symmetry because it is in the shape of a sphere so any way you cut it/look at it, it will be the same meaning the electrons will be in that vicinity
the p and d orbitals do not have symmetry because their shapes, as identified by wave functions, are in nodal planes. So, they could not have symmetry because they are not spherical.
Looking up the shapes online always helps me too so I can physically see it and not have to imagine it.
Re: p- and d- orbitals and zero e- density
That you for the clarification, it helped a lot! If anyone could explain the zero density stuff, it'd be very helpful. Thank you!
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Amir Bayat
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Re: p- and d- orbitals and zero e- density
This statement is accurate, the images online can help clarify this confusion. The symmetry of the orbitals can be seen on the graphs, and it is observed that the s orbital is purely symmetrical while the other orbitals are not.
405335722 wrote:To explain the symmetry aspect (I am confused about the density part as well),
the s orbital has symmetry because it is in the shape of a sphere so any way you cut it/look at it, it will be the same meaning the electrons will be in that vicinity
the p and d orbitals do not have symmetry because their shapes, as identified by wave functions, are in nodal planes. So, they could not have symmetry because they are not spherical.
Looking up the shapes online always helps me too so I can physically see it and not have to imagine it.
Re: p- and d- orbitals and zero e- density
Electron density is basically the probability of finding an electron in the region in question. Because electrons tend to be found in higher electron density, a region with zero electron density has probability of close to zero of finding an electron in said region.
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