Question

Choose the correct statement from the following options:

o antibonding takes place when lobes of atomic orbitals have same signs
o in bonding molecular orbital, electron density is high in the region between the nuclei of bonded atoms
o the energy of antibonding molecular orbital is higher than that of atomic orbitals from which it is formed
o every electron in antibonding molecular orbital contributes toward stability of the molecule

Answer 1

The correct statement regarding molecular orbital theory is that in bonding molecular orbital, electron density is high in the region between the nuclei of bonded atoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to molecular orbital theory and the correct statement among the given options. According to molecular orbital theory:

• Antibonding takes place when lobes of atomic orbitals have opposite signs, which results in the decrease of electron density between the nuclei due to destructive interference.
• In a bonding molecular orbital, electron density is indeed high in the region between the nuclei of bonded atoms because constructive interference of the wave functions strengthens the bond.
• The energy of an antibonding molecular orbital is higher than that of the atomic orbitals from which it is formed, contributing to instability rather than stability.
• Electrons in an antibonding molecular orbital do not contribute to the stability of the molecule; rather, they act to destabilize it.

Therefore, the correct statement is: 'In bonding molecular orbital, electron density is high in the region between the nuclei of bonded atoms.'