What type of atomic orbital has 2 nodal planes?? I got 3d, but would it be just d since nodal planes = angular momentum #??
Yes, you are correct. The type of atomic orbital that has two nodal planes is the d orbital. In general, the number of nodal planes in an atomic orbital is equal to the azimuthal quantum number, also known as the angular momentum quantum number. For a d orbital, the azimuthal quantum number is 2, hence it has two nodal planes.
To determine the type of atomic orbital that has two nodal planes, we need to consider both the principal quantum number (n) and the azimuthal quantum number (l).
The principal quantum number (n) determines the energy level and size of the atomic orbital. It can have any positive whole number value.
The azimuthal quantum number (l) determines the shape of the atomic orbital and can have values ranging from 0 to (n-1).
The number of nodal planes in an atomic orbital is equal to (l), the azimuthal quantum number. Nodal planes are the regions where the probability density of finding an electron is zero.
For example:
- An s orbital (l=0) has no nodal planes.
- A p orbital (l=1) has one nodal plane.
- A d orbital (l=2) has two nodal planes.
- An f orbital (l=3) has three nodal planes, and so on.
In your case, you mentioned the 3d orbital. The value of n for the 3d orbital is 3, and the value of l is 2. Therefore, the d orbital (l=2) has two nodal planes, and you are correct.
So, the type of atomic orbital that has two nodal planes is indeed the d orbital, specifically the 3d orbital in this context.