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Chemistry · Glossary

What is Radial distribution?

Also known as: radial distribution function · most probable radius

Definition 13.4 University Chemistry — Year 2 · Chapter 13 — Atomic Orbitals: Shapes, Energies and Sizes

The radial distribution function of an orbital is P(r)=r2Rnl(r)2P(r) = r^2R_{nl}(r)^2: P(r) drP(r)\,dr is the probability that the electron lies between rr and r+drr + dr from the nucleus. The most probable radius is the value of rr at its largest maximum.

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