Characterization of molecular orbitals by counting nodal regions

Yasuyo Hatano1, Shigeyoshi Yamamoto, Hiroshi Tatewaki

  • 1School of Computer and Cognitive Sciences, Chukyo University, 101 Tokodachi, Kaizu-cho, Toyota, Aichi 470-0393, Japan.

Related Concept Videos

Molecular Orbital Theory I02:35

Molecular Orbital Theory I

Overview of Molecular Orbital Theory
Atomic Orbitals02:44

Atomic Orbitals

An atomic orbital represents the three-dimensional regions in an atom where an electron has the highest probability to reside. The radial distribution function indicates the total probability of finding an electron within the thin shell at a distance r from the nucleus. The atomic orbitals have distinct shapes which are determined by l, the angular momentum quantum number. The orbitals are often drawn with a boundary surface, enclosing densest regions of the cloud.
MO Theory and Covalent Bonding02:40

MO Theory and Covalent Bonding

The molecular orbital theory describes the distribution of electrons in molecules in a manner similar to the distribution of electrons in atomic orbitals. The region of space in which a valence electron in a molecule is likely to be found is called a molecular orbital. Mathematically, the linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) generates molecular orbitals. Combinations of in-phase atomic orbital wave functions result in regions with a high probability of electron density, while...
Molecular Orbital Theory II03:51

Molecular Orbital Theory II

Molecular Orbital Energy Diagrams
Electron Orbital Model01:18

Electron Orbital Model

Orbitals are the areas outside of the atomic nucleus where electrons are most likely to reside. They are characterized by different energy levels, shapes, and three-dimensional orientations. The location of electrons is described most generally by a shell or principal energy level, then by a subshell within each shell, and finally, by individual orbitals found within the subshells.The first shell is closest to the nucleus, and it has only one subshell with a single spherical orbital called the...
Quantum Numbers02:43

Quantum Numbers

It is said that the energy of an electron in an atom is quantized; that is, it can be equal only to certain specific values and can jump from one energy level to another but not transition smoothly or stay between these levels.