The alternating, circular current density is a result of ψa having one chirality and ψ b having the opposite chirality. In the left column of Figure , labeled ∇ψa, we see that the gradient of ψa has some notion of circularity (red and blue arrows) and that it follows the helically propagating nodal planes (the yellow plane in the top row and purple plane in the bottom row). In the two previous examples, we already showed and explained why the gradient across a nodal plane is significant. Next, we look at the middle column, labeled ψ b , and note that the overall shape of the MO is a helix with opposite chirality compared with ψa of ∇ψa. Lastly, the rightmost column shows the result when we multiply ∇ψa with ψ b . Focusing on the top row, we see that ψ b emphasizes the region of space that the current density occupies while the gradient dictates the flow of the current density in this region. Whether the current flows clockwise or counterclockwise around the carbon chain is determined by the signs of ∇ψa and ψ b . For example, a red area of ∇ψa multiplied by a red area in ψ b will give a blue area in ∇ψa•ψ b . The alternating, circular flow of the current density is inherently tied to the orbital-gradient pairs of helical MOs though the degree of alternation might depend on the degree of helicality of the MOs. Next, we explain why we do not see the nodal plane in the resulting current density. It is clear from both Figure and Figure that there is no nodal plane in the current density. The only two contributions to the approximated current density are the ones shown in the last column of Figure . If we add these together, we get exactly the current density that is shown at the bottom of Figure . The main qualitative difference between the two contributions is the spatial distribution of the current density; where one has a low density, the other has a large. Alternatively, we can look at just the ψ b s, as these emphasize the path that the current density follows. The maximum of one MO coincides with the nodal plane of the other. Wherever the first MO eliminates the current density from its contribution, the other MO emphasizes the current density in exactly that location. This oscillating pattern of emphasis arises due to the differing helical chiralities of the two MOs by symmetry.