Question

Question: The molecular orbitals depicted below are derived from 2p atomic orbitals in${{\mathbf{F}}_{\mathbf{2}}}^{\mathbf{+}}$ .

1. Give the orbital designations.
2. Which is occupied by at least one electron in ${{\mathbf{F}}_{\mathbf{2}}}^{\mathbf{+}}$?
3. Which is occupied by only one electron in ${{\mathbf{F}}_{\mathbf{2}}}^{\mathbf{+}}$?

Short answer

Electrons in bonding orbitals stabilize they are between the nuclei.

1. The orbital designation of${{\mathbf{F}}_{\mathbf{2}}}^{\mathbf{+}}$is contained three electrons in pi anti-bonding orbital in x and y-direction.
2. The orbitals options (A), (B), (C) and (D) which has at least one electron in ${{\mathbf{F}}_{\mathbf{2}}}^{\mathbf{+}}$is anti-bonding pi orbital in y and z-direction.
3. The orbitals options (A) and (B) which has only one electron in ${{\mathbf{F}}_{\mathbf{2}}}^{\mathbf{+}}$ is anti-bonding pi orbital in x-direction.

Step-by-step solution

Bonding

Bonding may be defined as the force of attraction between two or more atoms to form a compound. The molecule can have the same atom and a different atom.

The bonding can be formed by sharing or completing giving the electron from one atom to another.

Orbitals designation

The orbitals present are in dumbbell shape which is p-orbital. The last electron falls in the anti-bonding orbital in pi-bond.

There are two types of bonding orbitals: Bonding and Anti-bonding orbitals.

Now, in this, the last electron falls in the anti-boding 2p orbital in the x and y-direction.

Orbitals having at least one electron

All options having at least one electron means having one electron and more than one electron not less than one. All the orbitals which are bonding and anti-bonding orbitals consist of one electron. The two electrons in the bonding orbital form the pi-bond and sigma-bond in options B and C.

Orbitals having only one electron

Options A and D have only one electron in the valence shell of both F-atom. The last electron falls in the pi anti-bonding orbital of the 2p orbital. Options A and D are just showing the shape of the p-orbital having one electron in the shell.