In the molecular orbital diagram of diatomic nitrogen (N2), which orbitals are filled first?
Correct Answer: 2s orbitals (σ2s and σ*2s) are filled first.
- Step 1: Understand that nitrogen (N) has 7 electrons, and diatomic nitrogen (N2) has a total of 14 electrons (7 from each nitrogen atom).
- Step 2: Know that in molecular orbital theory, electrons fill orbitals starting from the lowest energy level to the highest.
- Step 3: Identify the first set of orbitals to fill, which are the 2s orbitals (σ2s and σ*2s).
- Step 4: Fill the σ2s orbital with 2 electrons first, then fill the σ*2s orbital with the next 2 electrons.
- Step 5: After filling the 2s orbitals, move on to the 2p orbitals (π2p and π*2p) to fill them next.
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