Atomic orbitals: 3p equations

The symbols used in the following are:

  • r = radius expressed in atomic units (1 Bohr radius = 52.9 pm)
  • π = 3.14159 approximately
  • e = 2.71828 approximately
  • Z = effective nuclear charge for that orbital in that atom.
  • ρ = 2Zr/n where n is the principal quantum number (3 for the 3p orbitals)
Table of equations for the 3p orbital.
Function Equation
Radial wave function, R3px = (1/9√6) × ρ(4 - ρ) × Z3/2 × e-ρ/2
Angular wave function, Y3px = √(3)x/r × (1/4π)1/2
Wave function, ψ3px = R3px × Y3px
Electron density = ψ3px2
Radial distribution function = r2R3px2

The radial equation for the 3px, 3py, and 3pz orbitals is the same in each case. The angular functions are the same but substitute y and z as appropriate in the formula for Y3px given above. Substitute similarly for the wave equations ψ3py and ψ3pz.

For s-orbitals the radial distribution function is given by 4πr2ψ2, but for non-spherical orbitals (where the orbital angular momentum quantum number l > 0) the expression is as above. See D.F. Shriver and P.W. Atkins, Inorganic Chemistry, 3rd edition, Oxford, 1999, page 15.


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