Ch.9 - Molecular Geometry and Bonding Theories

Brown - Chemistry: The Central Science 14th Edition

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Brown 14th Edition

Ch.9 - Molecular Geometry and Bonding Theories

Problem 73c

Chapter 9, Problem 73c

Draw a picture that shows all three 2p orbitals on one atom and all three 2p orbitals on another atom. (c) How many antibonding orbitals, and of what type can be made from the two sets of 2p orbitals?

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: To draw the 2p orbitals, you need to remember that p orbitals are dumbbell-shaped and there are three of them, each oriented along a different axis (x, y, and z). Draw two atoms, each with three 2p orbitals. The orbitals should be perpendicular to each other, representing the three different axes.

Step 2: Label the orbitals as 2px, 2py, and 2pz for each atom. The labels represent the axes along which the orbitals are oriented.

Step 3: To determine the number of antibonding orbitals, remember that when two atomic orbitals combine, they form a bonding orbital and an antibonding orbital. Therefore, the six 2p orbitals from the two atoms can form three bonding orbitals and three antibonding orbitals.

Step 4: The type of antibonding orbitals formed depends on the orientation of the combining orbitals. When 2px orbitals combine, they form a sigma* (σ*) antibonding orbital. When 2py and 2pz orbitals combine, they form two pi* (π*) antibonding orbitals.

Step 5: So, from the two sets of 2p orbitals, you can form three antibonding orbitals: one sigma* (σ*) and two pi* (π*) orbitals.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Atomic Orbitals

Atomic orbitals are regions in an atom where there is a high probability of finding electrons. The 2p orbitals are a set of three degenerate orbitals (2px, 2py, 2pz) that can hold a maximum of six electrons. Understanding the shape and orientation of these orbitals is crucial for visualizing how they interact during bonding.

Bonding and Antibonding Orbitals

When atomic orbitals combine, they can form bonding and antibonding molecular orbitals. Bonding orbitals result from the constructive interference of wave functions, leading to increased electron density between nuclei, while antibonding orbitals arise from destructive interference, resulting in a node between the nuclei. The type of bonding or antibonding orbital formed depends on the symmetry and orientation of the combining orbitals.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

Indicate whether each statement is true or false. (c) Molecules containing electrons that occupy antibonding orbitals must be unstable.

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Textbook Question

Indicate whether each statement is true or false. (b) The probability is always 0% for finding an electron in an antibonding orbital.

Textbook Question

Indicate whether each statement is true or false. (a) p orbitals can only make σ or σ* molecular orbitals.

Consider the H₂⁺ ion. (f) Which of the following statements about part (e) is correct: (i) The light excites an electron from a bonding orbital to an antibonding orbital, (ii) The light excites an electron from an antibonding orbital to a bonding orbital, or (iii) In the excited state there are more bonding electrons than antibonding electrons?

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Textbook Question

Draw a picture that shows all three 2p orbitals on one atom and all three 2p orbitals on another atom. (b) How many p bonds can the two sets of 2p orbitals make with each other?

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