Question

draw the molecular orbital (mo) electron diagram for the h₂²⁻ molecular ion. be sure your diagram contains all of the electrons in the ion, including any core electrons. energy

Explanation:

Step1: Determine number of electrons

Hydrogen has 1 electron per atom. The $H_2^{2 -}$ ion has 2 hydrogen atoms and a 2 - negative charge. So the total number of electrons is $1\times2 + 2=4$ electrons.

Step2: Identify molecular orbitals

The molecular orbitals for a di - hydrogen species start with the $\sigma_{1s}$ bonding orbital and the $\sigma_{1s}^*$ antibonding orbital.

Step3: Fill the orbitals

We fill the orbitals starting from the lowest energy. The $\sigma_{1s}$ orbital can hold 2 electrons and the $\sigma_{1s}^*$ orbital can hold 2 electrons. We place 2 electrons in the $\sigma_{1s}$ orbital and 2 electrons in the $\sigma_{1s}^*$ orbital.

The molecular orbital electron - diagram would have two boxes labeled $\sigma_{1s}$ and $\sigma_{1s}^*$ with the $\sigma_{1s}$ box lower in energy. In the $\sigma_{1s}$ box, there are two electrons (represented as arrows with opposite spins: $\uparrow\downarrow$) and in the $\sigma_{1s}^*$ box, there are two electrons (also represented as $\uparrow\downarrow$).

Answer:

Draw two boxes labeled $\sigma_{1s}$ (lower energy) and $\sigma_{1s}^*$ (higher energy). In the $\sigma_{1s}$ box, place two electrons with opposite spins ($\uparrow\downarrow$) and in the $\sigma_{1s}^*$ box, place two electrons with opposite spins ($\uparrow\downarrow$).