Question

Total number of nodes for 3d orbital is ________

(a) 3

(b) 2

(c) 1

(d) 0

This question was posed to me in class test.

My doubt is from Quantum Mechanical Model of Atom in section Structure of Atom of Chemistry – Class 11

Answer 1

Correct answer is (b) 2

To elaborate: Total number of nodes include angular and radial nodes. Angular nodes and radial nodes are given by the formula n – l -1 and l respectively. So the total number of nodes are n – l -1 + l = n – 1. For 3d orbit, “n” is 3, so total number nodes is 3 – 1 = 2.