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 the MO symbol

When one 2p atomic orbital from each atom combines in a homonuclear diatomic - molecule, if the orbital has a nodal plane containing the internuclear axis, it is a $\pi$ - type orbital. Since the sketch shows a $\pi$ - type orbital, the symbol is $\pi$.

Step2: Determine bonding or antibonding

In a bonding molecular orbital, the electron density is concentrated between the two nuclei. In an antibonding molecular orbital, there is a nodal plane between the two nuclei. The given MO has a nodal plane between the two nuclei, so it is an antibonding MO.

Step3: Compare energy

Antibonding molecular orbitals have higher energy than the atomic orbitals from which they are formed. So the energy of this MO is higher than the energy of a 2p orbital on one of the separate atoms.

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