NEET 2026
- Exam
- NEET
- Year
- 2026
- Subject
- Chemistry
- Chapter
- Structure of Atom
NEET 2026 · Chemistry · Structure of Atom
Consider the following schematic plots of orbital wavefunction ( _r...
Consider the following schematic plots of orbital wavefunction () against distance () from the nucleus.

The figure representing two radial nodes in the orbital is
The figure representing two radial nodes in the orbital is
Options
- AD
- BA
- CB
- DC
Correct answer
D. C
Step-by-step solution
A radial node is a point where the radial wavefunction becomes zero and changes sign, excluding the origin () and infinity ().
In a plot of versus , the number of radial nodes corresponds to the number of times the curve crosses the horizontal axis ().
Analyzing the given plots:
Figure A: The curve does not cross the -axis. Number of radial nodes = .
Figure B: The curve crosses the -axis once. Number of radial nodes = .
Figure C: The curve crosses the -axis twice. Number of radial nodes = .
Figure D: The curve crosses the -axis once. Number of radial nodes = .
Therefore, figure C represents an orbital with two radial nodes.
Answer: C
In a plot of versus , the number of radial nodes corresponds to the number of times the curve crosses the horizontal axis ().
Analyzing the given plots:
Figure A: The curve does not cross the -axis. Number of radial nodes = .
Figure B: The curve crosses the -axis once. Number of radial nodes = .
Figure C: The curve crosses the -axis twice. Number of radial nodes = .
Figure D: The curve crosses the -axis once. Number of radial nodes = .
Therefore, figure C represents an orbital with two radial nodes.
Answer: C