Nodal plane

A Nodal plane is a plane, an area around an atom, in which the probability of finding an electron is zero. An alternative description is a flat, 2-dimensional region in space where the electron's wavefunction () becomes zero.

Since the probability of finding an electron in a region is proportional to , a nodal plane represents an area of zero electron density.

Types of Nodes

Nodes in an orbital are areas of zero probability for finding an electron. These can be classified as:

1. Radial Nodes:

Spherical regions where the wavefunction is zero.

Radial nodes are determined by the principal quantum number  and the angular quantum number .

Formula: Number of radial nodes = .

2. Angular Nodes (Nodal Planes):

Flat planes (or conical regions) where the wavefunction is zero due to the angular part of the orbital.

Number of angular nodes = , where  is the azimuthal quantum number.

Category:Physics