Which of the following arrangements of p atomic orbitals of 1,3-butadiene has the greatest number of nodes?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The number of nodes in a p orbital is equal to n-1, where n is the principal quantum number.

For the first carbon atom in 1,3-butadiene, we have two p orbitals arranged perpendicular to each other. Each of these p orbitals has one node. So, the total number of nodes for the first carbon atom is 2.

For the second carbon atom, we also have two p orbitals arranged perpendicular to each other. However, unlike the first carbon atom, we have a third p orbital that is parallel to one of the existing p orbitals. This parallel p orbital has no nodes, while each of the perpendicular p orbitals has one node each. So, the total number of nodes for the second carbon atom is 2+1 = 3.

Therefore, the arrangement of p orbitals of 1,3-butadiene with the greatest number of nodes is C) 3.

Which of the Following Arrangements of P Atomic Orbitals of 1,3-Butadiene