Question

Explain why radial nodes arise from the radial part of the wave function, whereas nodal planes arise from the angular part of the wave function.

Answer 1

Given that,

Radial nodes arise from the radial part of the wave function, whereas nodal planes arise from the angular part of the wave function

We know that,

The wavefunction for an atomic orbital is defined as,

$\psi(r, \theta, \phi)=R(r)Y(\theta,\phi)$

Radial node :

When the radial wavefunction for an atomic orbital is equal to zero then arise a radial nodes.

In mathematically,

Radial nodes = R(r)

Nodal planes :

The angular nodes makes of planes.

In mathematically,

Angular nodes = Y(θ,Φ)

Hence, This is required answer.