Consider the following schematic plots of orbital wavefunction ( r) against distance (r) from the nucleus. [figure] The figure representing two radial nodes in the orbital is
- D
- A
- B
- C
Answer
(4) C
Solution
A radial node corresponds to a distance r (other than r = 0 or r = ) where the wavefunction r = 0 and changes sign (crosses the horizontal axis).
In plot C, the curve crosses the r = 0 line twice, indicating the presence of two radial nodes (e.g., as in a 3s orbital).
Answer: (4)