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- Dec 2020
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chem.libretexts.org chem.libretexts.org
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Nodes A wave function node occurs at points where the wave function is zero and changes signs. The electron has zero probability of being located at a node.
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- Oct 2018
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chem.libretexts.org chem.libretexts.org
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In contrast to his concept of a simple circular orbit with a fixed radius, orbitals are mathematically derived regions of space with different probabilities of having an electron.
In this case, the QM model allows for probabilistic radii, not fixed radii, and the quantization is the energy level. An electron with principal quantum number n = 2 will always have quantized energy corresponding to \( E = R(1/n^2) \), but the exact minimal and maximal radial distance from the nucleus is not specified as in the Bohr model of the atom. Similar to the Bohr model though, the most probable radial distance is quantifiable, and that is the radius the electron is most likely to inhabit, however it will be found elsewhere at other times.
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