Question

Consider the valence orbitals of a nitrogen atom:

IE(2p) = 13.1 eV IE(2s) = 25.5 eV

a. What is the ionization energy of a nitrogen sp2 hybrid orbital?

b. Without calculating the value, is a nitrogen sp hybrid orbital higher or lower in energy (not ionization energy) than a nitrogen sp2 orbital? Explain.

c. Order the following in order of increasing energy. Make sure to clearly indicate which of the following is lowest energy and which is highest energy when writing down your ordering.

- A nitrogen 2s atomic orbital

- A nitrogen 2p atomic orbital

- A nitrogen sp hybrid atomic orbital

- A molecular orbital formed from constructive interference of two nitrogen 2s orbitals (in an N2 molecule)

- A molecular orbital formed from destructive interference of two nitrogen 2pz orbitals (in an N2 molecule)

- A molecular orbital formed from destructive interference of two nitrogen 2py orbitals (in an N2 molecule)

Answer 1

The answers are attached below-