Chapter 5, Problem 41E

Compare the atomic and molecular orbitaI diagrams to identify the member of each of the following pairs that has the highest first ionization energy (the most tightly bound electron) in the gas phase:

(a) ${\text{H and H}}_{\text{2}}$

(a) ${\text{N and N}}_{\text{2}}$

(a) ${\text{O and O}}_{\text{2}}$

(a) ${\text{C and C}}_{\text{2}}$

(a) ${\text{B and B}}_{\text{2}}$