Complete the table below, which lists information about some diatomic molecules or molecular ions. In particular: • Decide whether each molecule is stable or not. • Decide whether each molecule would be diamagnetic or paramagnetic. • Calculate each molecule’s bond order.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The given table lists four diatomic molecules/molecular ions: H₂⁺, He₂, Li₂⁻, and B₂. To complete the table, I’ll address the stability, magnetism, and bond order for each molecule:
- H₂⁺ (Hydrogen molecular ion)
- Stability: Stable
- Magnetism: Paramagnetic
- Bond Order: 0.5 Explanation: H₂⁺ has 1 electron. Its electronic configuration can be represented as σ₁s¹. The bond order, calculated as (number of bonding electrons – number of antibonding electrons)/2, is (1-0)/2 = 0.5. A bond order of 0.5 indicates that H₂⁺ is less stable compared to H₂ but still exists. It is paramagnetic because it has one unpaired electron.
- He₂ (Helium molecule)
- Stability: Not stable
- Magnetism: Diamagnetic
- Bond Order: 0 Explanation: He₂ would have a total of 4 electrons, filling both the σ₁s and σ₁s* molecular orbitals (σ₁s² σ₁s*²). The bond order calculation is (2 bonding electrons – 2 antibonding electrons)/2 = 0. A bond order of 0 indicates that there is no net bonding, rendering He₂ unstable. All electrons are paired, making it diamagnetic.
- Li₂⁻ (Lithium anion)
- Stability: Stable
- Magnetism: Diamagnetic
- Bond Order: 1 Explanation: Li₂⁻ has 7 electrons. The electronic configuration up to Li₂⁻ is σ₁s² σ₂s² π₂pᶻ⁻¹. The bond order is (4 bonding electrons – 2 antibonding electrons)/2 = 1. A bond order of 1 means Li₂⁻ is stable. All electrons are paired, hence it is diamagnetic.
- B₂ (Boron molecule)
- Stability: Stable
- Magnetism: Paramagnetic
- Bond Order: 1 Explanation: B₂ has 10 electrons. The electronic configuration is σ₂s² σ₂s*² π₂pₓ² π₂pᵧ². The bond order is (6 bonding electrons – 4 antibonding electrons)/2 = 1. Despite a relatively low bond order of 1, B₂ is stable. It is paramagnetic due to two unpaired electrons in the π₂p orbitals.
Now, I’ll generate an image reflecting the completed table with these details.
Here is the image of the completed table with the details for each molecule: stability, magnetism, and bond order. This visual representation can help in understanding the properties of each diatomic molecule or molecular ion listed.
