Chapter 24, Problem 92AP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Thebonding in the ${\text{C}}_2{}^{-}$ ion is to be described in terms of the molecular orbital theory.

Concept introduction:

In molecular orbital theory, two or more atoms are linked together to make molecular orbitals. It predicts the arrangement of electrons in a molecule.

Molecular orbital theory consists of bonding molecular orbital and antibonding molecular orbital. Electronic structure of a molecule is described by this theory.

Order of increasing energy of molecular orbitals is:

${\sigma }_{1\mathit{\text{s}}}<{\sigma }_{1\mathit{\text{s}}}^{}<{\sigma }_{2\mathit{\text{s}}}<{\sigma }_{2\mathit{\text{s}}}^{}<{\pi }_{2{\mathit{\text{p}}}_y}={\pi }_{2{\mathit{\text{p}}}_z}<{\sigma }_{2{\mathit{\text{p}}}_x}$

Each orbital can possess maximum two electrons according to Hund’s law.