Which type of atomic orbitals do not have a node at the nucleus?

• A. d orbitals
• B. s orbitals
• C. f orbitals
• D. p orbitals

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand what a node is: In atomic orbitals, a node is a region where the probability of finding an electron is zero.
2. Recall that the nucleus is located at the center of the atom, so the question asks which orbitals have zero probability of electron presence exactly at the nucleus.
3. Know that s orbitals are spherical and have their highest electron density at the nucleus, meaning they do not have a node at the nucleus.
4. Recognize that p, d, and f orbitals have angular nodes or radial nodes that cause the electron probability to be zero at the nucleus, so they do have a node at the nucleus.
5. Therefore, the orbitals without a node at the nucleus are the s orbitals.