Question

Question #24216

Answer 1

The molecular orbital configuration is

`"C"_2: (1σ_text(g))^2 (1σ_text(u)"*")^2 (2σ_text(g))^2 (2σ_text(u)"*")^2 (1π_text(u))^4`

Explanation:

A carbon atom has four valence electrons, so a molecule of dicarbon `"C"_2` has eight electrons.

You construct a blank molecular orbital diagram and add the eight electrons using the Aufbau principle, Hund's rule, and the Pauli exclusion principle.

You end up with the diagram below.

Thus, using the notation in the diagram, we get

`"C"_2: (1σ_text(g))^2 (1σ_text(u)"*")^2 (2σ_text(g))^2 (2σ_text(u)"*")^2 (1π_text(u))^4`