From: x@x.org   
      
   Once upon a time in college I learned a while back   
   how you get the shape of the orbitals (s, p, d, f   
   and more -theoretical - g, h, etc).   
      
   Simple and elegant.  All you have is different   
   'nodes' or areas of low electron probability   
   density, in the waveform.   
      
   With s you have no rotational nodes (but of   
   course a radial node if you have something   
   beyond hydrogen or helium).   
      
   with p you have one node going across an axis   
   of rotation, either theta or phi.   
      
   With d you have two of these nodes.  If they   
   are across phi you get the doughnut shape.   
      
   Then with f you have three of these nodes,   
   or two doughnuts if they are across phi.   
      
   Then I thought, this is simple enough that   
   you could learn this in high school if   
   students were learning other coordinate   
   systems besides a rectangular coordinate   
   system.   
      
   Then I thought about the future which is   
   now in the past.   
      
   Basic question for those of you that are   
   younger than 30 or 40.   
      
   Did you learn in high school why the orbitals   
   in chemistry have the shapes that they do?   
   Did you learn that the orbitals get their   
   shape by magic or did you learn about polar   
   coordinate systems and 'nodes' in the wave   
   forms?   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)