Which species is represented by the following distribution of p electrons in the molecular energy diagram?
A)I
B)II
C)III
D)IV

Question

Which species is represented by the following distribution of p electrons in the molecular energy diagram?  
A)I 
B)II 
C)III 
D)IV

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The molecular energy diagram shows a total of 10 p electrons, which suggests that the species is a neutral, diatomic molecule containing two atoms with five valence electrons each. These conditions are satisfied only by choice C) III, which represents the molecular orbital diagram of N2. The other choices, A) I, B) II, D) IV, and E) V, all have a different number of p electrons and/or do not satisfy the criteria for a neutral, diatomic molecule composed of two atoms with five valence electrons each.

Which Species Is Represented by the Following Distribution of P