Chapter 6, Problem 7P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The excited state that has higher energy should be determined.

Concept introduction: Two or more atomic orbitals overlap to form a bond, these orbitals are called molecular orbitals. Count of molecular orbitals generated is same as count of atomic orbitals mixed.

There are two forms of molecular orbital and that includes bonding molecular orbital and antibonding molecular orbital.

Bonding molecular orbitals are those in that electrons are in between the nuclei of two atom.

Antibonding molecular orbitals are those in which electrons are away from the nuclei of two atom. Also, electrons in antibonding orbitals have generally higher energy compared to bonding orbital.

In sigma $\left(\sigma \right)$ bonding molecular orbital, electron density is shared directly between bonding atoms, along the bonding axis. In sigma $\left({\sigma }^{*}\right)$ antibonding molecular orbital, the orbital is empty. In these molecular orbital’s electrons are along the nuclear axis.

In pi $\left(\pi \right)$ bonding molecular orbital, bonding electron density lies above as well as below bonding axis and has no electron directly on bonding axis.

In pi $\left({\pi }^{*}\right)$ antibonding molecular orbital, the orbital is empty. In these molecular orbital, electrons are perpendicular to nuclear axis.