In the molecular orbital theory, which of the following orbitals is the highest energy in O2?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
In the molecular orbital theory, which of the following orbitals is the highest energy in O2?
σ2p
π2p
σ*2p
π*2p
The highest energy orbital in O2 is σ*2p, which is an antibonding orbital.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: In the molecular orbital theory, which of the following orbitals is the highest energy in O2?
Solution: The highest energy orbital in O2 is σ*2p, which is an antibonding orbital.
Steps: 5
Step 1: Understand that O2 (oxygen molecule) has molecular orbitals formed from the atomic orbitals of the oxygen atoms.
Step 2: Know that molecular orbitals can be bonding or antibonding. Bonding orbitals help hold the atoms together, while antibonding orbitals can weaken the bond.
Step 3: Identify the molecular orbitals for O2. They are filled in order of increasing energy: σ2s, σ*2s, σ2p, π2p, π*2p, and σ*2p.
Step 4: Recognize that the highest energy orbital is the last one filled, which is σ*2p.
Step 5: Conclude that σ*2p is an antibonding orbital, meaning it has higher energy than the bonding orbitals.
