Main axis of a diatomic molecule is z, atomic orbitals px and py overlap to form which of the following orbitals.
- molecular orbital
- molecular orbital
- molecular orbital
- No bond will form
Answer
(1) molecular orbital
Solution
∵ The internuclear (molecular) axis is the z-axis.
⇒ pz orbitals overlap head-on (along the axis) and form molecular orbitals.
⇒ px and py orbitals are perpendicular to the axis, so they overlap sideways (lateral overlap): px with px and py with py.
As per NCERT, sideways overlap of p orbitals gives (bonding) and * (antibonding) molecular orbitals.
∴ px and py form molecular orbitals.
Answer: (1)