Question

study the following sketch of a molecular orbital (mo) in a homonuclear diatomic molecule. this mo was formed by combining one 2p atomic orbital from each atom. the dark dots in this sketch are the nuclei. now use the sketch to complete the table below. write the symbol for this mo. is this a bonding or antibonding mo? what is the energy of this mo, compared to the energy of a 2p orbital on one of the separate atoms?

Explanation:

Step1: Identify MO type

When two 2p atomic orbitals combine in a way that there is a node between the nuclei, it is a $\pi^*$ (pi - antibonding) orbital.

Step2: Determine bonding nature

Antibonding orbitals have a node between the nuclei which weakens the bond, so it is antibonding.

Step3: Compare energy

Antibonding orbitals have higher energy than the atomic orbitals from which they are formed.

Answer:

Question	Answer
Is this a bonding or antibonding MO?	antibonding
What is the energy of this MO, compared to the energy of a 2p orbital on one of the separate atoms?	higher