Calculate the number of molecular orbitals for which the $x y$ plane is a nodal plane for the given configuration.
$(σ_{1 s^{2}}, σ_{1 s^{2}}^{*}), (σ_{2 s^{2}}, σ_{2 s^{2}}^{*}), (π_{2 p x^{2}} = π_{2 p y^{2}})$

Question

Calculate the number of molecular orbitals for which the $x y$ plane is a nodal plane for the given configuration.

$(σ_{1 s^{2}}, σ_{1 s^{2}}^{*}), (σ_{2 s^{2}}, σ_{2 s^{2}}^{*}), (π_{2 p x^{2}} = π_{2 p y^{2}})$

TestHub · Accepted Answer

Identify the Internuclear Axis: By convention, the $z$ -axis is taken as the internuclear axis for diatomic molecules.

Determine Nodal Planes for Antibonding $σ$ Orbitals: Antibonding molecular orbitals formed by axial overlap ( $σ_{1 s}$ and $σ_{2 s}$ ) have a nodal plane perpendicular to the internuclear axis (the $z$ -axis), which is the $x y$ plane.

Determine Nodal Planes for $π$ Orbitals: The $π_{2 p_{x}}$ orbital has the $yz$ plane as its nodal plane, while the $π_{2 p_{y}}$ orbital has the $x z$ plane as its nodal plane.

Conclusion: Only the 2 molecular orbitals, $σ_{1 s}$ and $σ_{2 s}^{*}$ , have the $x y$ plane as a nodal plane.

Chemistry - CHEMICAL BONDING Question with Solution | TestHub

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