Question

In the formation of homo diatomic neutral molecule, if ‘N’ atomic orbitals combine, then the total number of bonding molecular orbitals formed is orbital’s formed
A. 2N
B. N
C. N/2
D. N/4

Answer 1

Hint: For solving this question, we need to understand the concept of molecular orbital. In a molecular orbital, when two atoms move closer together it forms a molecule, and atomic orbitals overlap and combine together to form molecular orbitals. Thus, the number of newly formed molecular orbitals is equal to the total number of combined atomic orbitals.

Complete step by step answer:
First, let’s understand the difference of atomic orbitals and molecular orbitals.
In case of atomic orbitals, it contains orbitals like s,p,d,f whereas atomic orbitals overlap to form molecular orbitals. The energy of an electron is described by an atomic orbital whereas energy of a molecule is described by molecular orbital. Atomic orbitals are more stable because their energy is less whereas molecular orbitals are also stable but less than atomic orbital.
As we know that the number of molecular orbital formed orbitals is equal to the total number of combined atomic orbitals.
Therefore, if N number of atomic orbitals combine together then we get N molecular orbitals and out of which N/2 is bonding and N/2 anti-bonding. So, the total number of bonding molecular orbitals formed is N/2.

So, the correct answer is Option C.

Note:
After this, we need to understand the concept of bonding and antibonding MOT. The bonding molecular orbitals are formed by the addition of molecular orbitals and the electron density is maximum. In the antibonding, the molecular orbital is formed by the subtraction method in which electron density is maximum outside the nuclei. These are less stable than bonding molecular orbitals.