Visualizing atomic orbitals of electron by Latex

Nguyen Hoang Hai

Nano and Energy Center, Hanoi University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi

334 Nguyen Trai, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, Vietnam.

E-mail: nhhai@vnu.edu.vn

Abstract. Latex is a free computer program which is aimed at typesetting text, mathematical formulas and graphic presentations. The Tikz package of Latex is probably the most complex and powerful tool to create graphic elements. Atomic orbitals ψnlm (n = 1 − 4) of the electron in a hydrogen atom are presented by 3D surfaces and 2D color mapping contour plots by Latex. We provide 3 sets of plots including angular, radial component and atomic orbital. Graphic presentations and Latex source codes are given for teaching quantum mechanics and chemistry.

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Download Latex source code of the images.