Question

incorrect your answer is incorrect. • row 1: your answer is incorrect. study the following sketch of a molecular orbital (mo) in a homonuclear diatomic molecule. this mo was formed by combining one 3p atomic orbital from each atom. the dark dots in this sketch are the nuclei. now use the sketch to complete the table below. write the symbol for this mo. is this a bonding or antibonding mo? what is the energy of this mo, compared to the energy of a 3p orbital on one of the separate atoms?

Explanation:

Step1: Identify the MO symbol

When two 3p atomic orbitals combine side - on in a homonuclear diatomic molecule, the resulting molecular orbital is a $\pi$ orbital. So the symbol is $\pi$.

Step2: Determine bonding or antibonding

In a bonding $\pi$ orbital, the electron density is concentrated between the nuclei. In the given sketch, there is electron density between the nuclei, so it is a bonding MO.

Step3: Compare energy

A bonding molecular orbital has lower energy than the atomic orbitals from which it is formed. So the energy of this $\pi$ MO is lower than the energy of a 3p orbital on one of the separate atoms.

Answer:

Write the symbol for this MO: $\pi$
Is this a bonding or antibonding MO? bonding
What is the energy of this MO, compared to the energy of a 3p orbital on one of the separate atoms? lower