[Python] Split vs Strip in Python to remove redundant white space

Do I need to use strip() before split() to remove any redundant space in Python (and turn into a list after)? For example:

string1 = ' a b '


I want the result:

list1 = ['a', 'b']


When I test I found out that list1=string1.split() is enough. But somehow my teacher says string1.strip().split() is needed.

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