- #1
hokhani
- 488
- 8
The Hamiltonian of an atomic electron is spherically symmetric so we expect to have symmetric distribution of electrons around the nucleus. However, as an example, p-orbitals don't have spherical symmetry and [itex]p_x[/itex]-orbitals imply that electrons may be found in the x-direction with higher probability compared with another direction between x and y axis! What is the reason of this discrepancy?