Sketch the bonding and antibonding molecular orbitals that result from linear combinations of the 2p_x atomic orbitals in a homonuclear diatomic molecule. (The 2p_x orbitals are those whose lobes are oriented along the bonding axis.)

Key Concepts

Molecular Orbitals

Molecular orbitals (MOs) are formed when atomic orbitals combine through linear combinations. In diatomic molecules, this process leads to the formation of bonding and antibonding orbitals. Bonding orbitals are lower in energy and stabilize the molecule, while antibonding orbitals are higher in energy and can destabilize it if occupied.

Linear Combination of Atomic Orbitals (LCAO)

The Linear Combination of Atomic Orbitals (LCAO) is a method used to construct molecular orbitals from atomic orbitals. For homonuclear diatomic molecules, the 2px atomic orbitals combine to form one bonding molecular orbital and one antibonding molecular orbital. This approach helps predict the electronic structure and properties of molecules.

Bonding and Antibonding Orbitals

Bonding orbitals are formed when atomic orbitals combine constructively, resulting in increased electron density between the nuclei, which stabilizes the molecule. Antibonding orbitals, on the other hand, arise from destructive interference, leading to a node between the nuclei and higher energy, which can weaken or prevent bond formation if occupied.