Question

Why are oxygen and hydrogen are diatomic?

Answer 1

Oxygen and Hydrogen are diatomic:-

• Diatomic molecules are molecules that contain only 2 atoms either of the same kind or different, for example ${\mathrm{O}}_2,{\mathrm{H}}_2$
• We know that the stability of a molecule is inversely proportional to the energy it possesses.
• Oxygen and Hydrogen both exist in a diatomic state.
• This is because hydrogen is much more stable when it does not combine with any other element, but itself.
• The same is for Oxygen as well, it possesses less energy when it is uncombined, which means it is more stable.
• The elements are much more stable when they are in an octet configuration.
• As a result, to obtain the octet configuration, Oxygen shares its two electrons with another oxygen atom, and thus both atoms attain the octet state and become diatomic, ${\mathrm{O}}_2$.
• In the same manner, Hydrogen shares its 1 electron with another hydrogen atom and attains a duplet state, and becomes diatomic, ${\mathrm{H}}_2$.
• Hydrogen can have a duplet state because it has 1 electron that is $1{\mathrm{s}}^1$, and the s-subshell can accommodate a maximum of 2 electrons.
• Therefore due to this reason, Oxygen and Hydrogen are both diatomic.