Question

Predict whether the MO diagram for S₂ would show s-p mixing or not.

Short answer

The molecular orbital diagram for S₂ would not show s-p mixing.

Step-by-step solution

Molecular orbitals

The molecular orbitals are formed from the overlapping of atomic orbitals. The number of molecular orbitals formed is equal to the total number of atomic orbitals intermixed.

Explanation

In S, the energy gap between the 3s and 3p orbitals is substantial, preventing s-p mixing in S₂. As a result, s-p mixing will not be seen in the molecular orbital diagram forS₂.

Molecular orbital diagram of S₂