In the molecular orbital theory, which of the following orbitals is lower in ene

In the molecular orbital theory, which of the following orbitals is lower in energy for homonuclear diatomic molecules?

In the molecular orbital theory, which of the following orbitals is lower in energy for homonuclear diatomic molecules?

Step 1: Understand what homonuclear diatomic molecules are. These are molecules made of two identical atoms, like O2 or N2.
Step 2: Learn about molecular orbitals. These are regions in a molecule where electrons are likely to be found.
Step 3: Identify the types of molecular orbitals involved: σ (sigma) and π (pi) orbitals.
Step 4: Know that the σ2s orbital is formed from the 2s atomic orbitals of the two atoms.
Step 5: Understand that the π2p orbitals are formed from the 2p atomic orbitals and can be degenerate (same energy) in pairs.
Step 6: Recognize that the σ2p orbital is formed from the 2p atomic orbitals as well, but has a different shape and energy.
Step 7: Compare the energy levels: The σ2s orbital is lower in energy than both the π2p and σ2p orbitals.
Step 8: Conclude that in homonuclear diatomic molecules, the σ2s orbital is the lowest in energy.

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