Question

Which of the following pair of orbitals possess two nodal planes each?

• A. $p_x,d_{x^2-y^2}$
• B. $d_{x^2-y^2},d_{z^2}$
• C. $d_{xz},d_{x^2-y^2}$
• D. $p_y,d_{xy}$

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

The shapes of the orbitals are as shown below,

The $d_{z^2}$ orbital is symmetrical about Z-axis and has a dumbbell shape with a doughnut-shaped electron cloud in the centre. $d_{z^2}$ has conical node while $d_{xz},d_{x^2-y^2}$ has two nodal planes each.