The number of radial nodes for 3p orbital is __________.

o Just like the s orbitals, the probability density for p-orbital also passes through a minima value i.e. zero. Besides at zero and infinite distance, as the distance from the nucleus increases.


o Hence the number of radial nodes for np orbitals is n-2 (i.e. n-1-1 for the zero and infinite distance).


So, the number of radial nodes for 3p orbital is (3-2) i.e. equals to (iv) 1.


Other 3 cases(i) 3 ,(ii) 4 and (iii) 2 are not possible .

1