How many spherical nodes are in a #3d_(xy)# orbital?

1 Answer
May 20, 2017

A spherical node is otherwise known as a radial node. Radial nodes are given by

#n - l - 1#,

where #n - 1# is the total number of nodes, and #l# is the number of angular nodes. (Ordinarily, #n# is the principal quantum number, and #l# is the angular momentum quantum number.)

So, the number of radial nodes is:

#color(blue)(n - l - 1)#

#= 3 - 2 - 1 = color(blue)(0)#

Hence, there are zero spherical nodes in the #3d_(xy)# orbital.

How many angular nodes are there?