Draw an MO energy-level diagram for beryllium metal, and show the population of the MOs for the following two cases. (a) The 2s and 2p bands are well separated in energy. (b) The 2s and 2p bands overlap in energy. Which diagram agrees with the fact that beryllium has a high electrical conductivity? Explain.

Video transcript

Hello everyone today. We have been given the following problem Shown below are the molecular diagrams for magnesium showing two cases A where the S. And P. O. Brothers do not overlap and be the S and P bands overlap, which molecular orbital diagram explains why magnesium has a high electrical conductivity. So we see here in a so for answer choice A. There is a separation, there's a separation in the orbital's in the three S and in the three P essentially there are no electrons in the P orbital and as a result the p orbital is inaccessible and electrons cannot flow into it and this is a big part of being able to conduct electricity, having a nice flow of electrons. If we go to be. However, we see that there is an overlap of R. S. Mp orbital's and while the p orbital is not completely filled, it is partially filled. So the p orbital is partially filled and this partial filling of the P orbital allows electrons to flow throughout and thus it enables this diagram or magnesium to conduct electricity. So with that answer choice B is our correct answer. And with that we have answered the question overall. I hope this helped and until next time