Question
Consider the following schematic plots of orbital wavefunction ( _r) against distance (r) from the nucleus. The figure representing two radial nodes in the orbital is
NEET
Chemistry
Structure of Atom
2026
NEET 2026 (Re-NEET)
NEET Chemistry Question (2026) — Solution
Options
- A. D
- B. A
- C. B
- D. C
Answer
D. C
Step-by-step solution
A radial node is a point where the radial wavefunction _r becomes zero and changes sign, excluding the origin (r=0) and infinity (r ). In a plot of _r versus r, the number of radial nodes corresponds to the number of times the curve crosses the horizontal axis ( _r = 0). Analyzing the given plots: Figure A: The curve does not cross the r-axis. Number of radial nodes = 0. Figure B: The curve crosses the r-axis once. Number of radial nodes = 1. Figure C: The curve crosses the r-axis twice. Number of radial nodes = 2. Figure D: The curve crosses the r-axis once. Number of radial nodes = 1. Therefore, figure C represents an orbital with two radial nodes. Answer: C
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