Question

1st
Q.1. Write the electronic configuration of diatomic carbon molecule. Calculate the bond order.

Answer 1

Dear Student

According to molecular orbital theory,

The electronic configuration of diatomic C₂ molecule is as follows:
${\sigma }_{1s^2}^{},{\sigma }_{1s^2}^{*},{\sigma }_{2s^2}^{},{\sigma }_{2s^2}^{*}{\mathrm{\pi }}_{2{{\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{x}}}^2}={\mathrm{\pi }}_{2{{\mathrm{p}}_{\mathrm{y}}}^2}$

And as the bond order = (No. of bonding electrons - No. of antibonding electrons) / 2
= ( 8 -4)/ 2
= 2
So, the bond order is 2

Regards