Question

The nodal plane(s) for $d_{x^2-y^2}$ is/are:

• A. $x-y=0$
• B. $x+y=0$
• C. xy plane
• D. Both a and b

Answer 1

The correct option is D Both a and b

A nodal plane represents a plane where the probabilty of finding an electron is zero.
One nodal plane for $d_{x^2-y^2}$ lies at ${45}^{\circ }$ from the positive x-axis and that plane is $x-y=0$. While the other plane lies at ${135}^{\circ }$ from the positive x-axis and that plane is $x+y=0$.

At both these positions the angle is ${45}^{\circ }$ and the electron density is zero