Chapter 9, Problem 58QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The relative stabilities of ${\text{F}}_{\text{2}}$ and ${\text{F}}_{\text{2}}{}^{+}$ is to be compared using molecular orbital theory.

Concept introduction:

The combination of two atomic orbitals results in the formation of a bonding and an antibonding molecular orbital. Orbitals that lie on internuclear axis combine to form sigma $\sigma$

molecular orbital, and orbitals parallel to each other combine to form $\pi$

molecular orbitals.

The molecular orbital formed by the combination of $\text{1s}$ orbital forms bonding molecular orbital designated as ${\sigma }_{1s}$, and anti-bonding molecular orbital as ${\sigma }^{\ast }{}_{1s}$. The $\text{2s}$ orbital forms corresponding molecular orbitals.

Bond order is determined by subtracting the total number of antibonding electrons and the total number of bonding electrons and dividing the obtained number by two.

Stability of molecules increases with increase in bond order.