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CHEM 121 Studioby Learn4Less · UBC CHEM 121

CHEM 121 glossary

Radial node

A sphere centred on the nucleus where ψ=0\psi = 0. An orbital has n−l−1n - l - 1 radial nodes, so they appear only in larger orbitals such as 2s and 3p.

Radial and angular nodesLeft: a slice through a 2s orbital shows an inner region, a spherical radial node where the electron is never found, and an outer region. Right: a 2p orbital has an angular node, a flat plane through the nucleus between its two lobes.2s: radial nodea sphere (n − l − 1 of them)2p: angular nodea plane (l of them)dashed = zero probability of finding the electron

2s has a spherical radial node; 2p has a planar angular node instead.

Example

3s has 3−0−1=23 - 0 - 1 = 2 radial nodes; 4d has 4−2−1=14 - 2 - 1 = 1; 2p, 3d and 4f have none.

See alsoAngular nodeNodes orbital