Which of the following is the correct molecular electronic configuration for the diagram below?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

First, I will restate the question and the available choices to set the context for analysis.
Question: Which of the following is the correct molecular electronic configuration for the diagram below?
Options:
- a. 1s2 2s2 2p1
- b. σ(2s)2 σ*(2s)2 π(2p)2
- c. σ(2s)2 σ*(2s)2 π(2px)1π(2py)1
- d. σ(2s)4 π(2p)2

Now, let’s examine each option in relation to the diagram provided (which shows electrons in σ(2s), σ*(2s), and the two degenerate π orbitals π(2px) and π(2py)).
Option a: 1s2 2s2 2p1
- This description ignores the molecular orbital picture depicted in the diagram, which explicitly shows occupancy of σ(2s) and σ*(2s) as well as π(2px) and π(2py) orbitals. It also omits any information about 2p bonding/antibonding interactions beyond a single 2p electron, so it does not match the shown configuration. Therefore, this option is incorrect.
Option b: σ(2s)2 σ*(2s)2 π(2p)2
- This suggests two electrons in the π(2p) set, but the diagram indicates occupancy split between the two degenerate π orbitals with one electron in each (π(2px)1 and π(2py)1). Additionally, it omits the explicit σ(2px) or σ(2py) designations and the split into 2px and 2py orbitals that the diagram presents. Consequently, this option does not align with the pictured arrangement. Hence, it is incorrect.
Option c: σ(2s)2 σ*(2s)2 π(2px)1π(2py)1
- This option matches the diagram precisely: both σ(2s) and σ*(2s) are filled with two electrons each, and the two degenerate π orbitals (π(2px) and π(2py)) each contain one electron, giving a total of two electrons distributed among the π set. The labeling corresponds to the specific p-orbitals shown in the diagram, making this configuration consistent with the visual.
Option d: σ(2s)4 π(2p)2
- This implies four electrons in the σ(2s) region (which would be unusual for a simple diatomic MO picture like the diagram shows) and two electrons in the π(2p) set without distinguishing between π(2px) and π(2py), and it omits the σ*(2s) occupancy entirely. This contradicts the diagram’s depiction of both σ(2s) and σ*(2s) being populated and the explicit π(2px)/π(2py) occupations. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Summarizing the reasoning, only option c correctly reflects the depicted molecular orbital occupancy: filled σ(2s) and σ*(2s), with one electron in each degenerate π orbital (π(2px) and π(2py)). The other options fail to match the specific MO filling shown in the diagram due to incorrect occupancy patterns or missing/incorrect orbital labels.

CHM1051 MUM S2 2025 CHM1051 Practice Exam 1

Which of the following is the correct molecular electronic configuration for the diagram below?

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