What are the nodal planes of the #d_(x^2-y^2)# orbital?

1 Answer

The nodal planes of the #d_(x^2-y^2)# orbitals are the non-axial planes.

Explanation:

A nodal plane or nodal surface of a wave-function is an area where there is zero displacement; zero electron density.

Example: #3d_(x^2-y^2)# orbital

http://www.chemguide.co.uk/

Since the #d-"orbitals"# have definite geometric properties, it is easy to recognize such planes/surfaces, and these are the regions which have no axial component in the #xy# plane.