FREE IGNOU BCHCT 131 SOLVED ASSIGNMENT 2023

Question 10: Draw and explain the molecular orbitals formed by the linear combination of px and px orbitals, and py and py orbitals.

Molecular orbitals (MOs) are formed by the linear combination of atomic orbitals. In the case of px and px orbitals, and py and py orbitals:

(i) px + px → σ molecular orbital: This is a bonding molecular orbital with electron density concentrated between the two nuclei along the internuclear axis (head-on overlap).

(ii) px – px → σ* molecular orbital: This is an antibonding molecular orbital with a nodal plane along the internuclear axis. There’s no electron density between the nuclei.

(iii) py + py → π molecular orbital: This is a bonding molecular orbital with electron density above and below the internuclear axis (sideways overlap).

(iv) py – py → π* molecular orbital: This is an antibonding molecular orbital with a nodal plane containing the internuclear axis. There’s no electron density along the axis.

These molecular orbitals arise from the combination of atomic orbitals to form a more complex electron distribution in a molecule.