Electron waves are what are called standing waves. Standing waves have a specific property that not just any wave is allowed. This is why only certain atomic orbital with specific energies are allowed to exist in an atom. The vibrations of a guitar string are also standing waves, only certain waves are allowed. In the diagram below, one of the waves is not allowed, if it were an atomic orbital, it would not exist, Which is it? Wave A Wave B Wave C Wave E

Electron waves are what are called standing waves. Standing waves have a specific property that not just any wave is allowed. This is why only certain atomic orbital with specific energies are allowed to exist in an atom. The vibrations of a guitar string are also standing waves, only certain waves are allowed. In the diagram below, one of the waves is not allowed, if it were an atomic orbital, it would not exist, Which is it? Wave A Wave B Wave C Wave E