According to Molecular Orbital Theory, two separate p_x orbitals interact about the y-axis to form what molecular orbitals A) ($\sigma$) and $\sigma$* B) ($\pi$) and $\pi$* C) ($\sigma$), $\sigma$* and $\pi$ D) ($\pi$), $\pi$*, and $\sigma$ E) ($\sigma$), $\sigma$*, $\pi$, and $\pi$*

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Molecular Orbital Theory, the interaction between two separate p orbitals leads to the formation of two molecular orbitals: one bonding and one antibonding. The bonding orbital is lower in energy than the original p orbitals, while the antibonding orbital is higher in energy. Since the two p orbitals in this question are interacting about the y-axis, the resulting molecular orbitals will be pi (π) orbitals. Therefore, the correct answer is (F1F1F1S1πF1F1F10) and F1F1F1S1πF1F1F10*. Choices C, D, and E include both pi and sigma (σ) orbitals, which are formed by interactions along the z-axis. Therefore, they are not the best choice for this question.

According to Molecular Orbital Theory, Two Separate Px Orbitals Interact σ\sigmaσ

According to Molecular Orbital Theory, Two Separate P_x Orbitals Interact $\sigma$