Which of the following is not true about molecular orbital theory?
A. The bonding molecular orbital is filled before the antibonding orbital.
B. Each molecular orbital can accommodate only one electron.
C. The number of molecular orbitals formed is often equal to the number of atomic orbitals that combine to make them.
D. A bonding molecular orbital is σ, and an antibonding molecular orbital is σ*.
I'm not a big MO guy but I would look at b as the false statement.
Well, well, well, let's find the joker in the pack, shall we?
B. Each molecular orbital can accommodate only one electron.
That statement is as false as a clown juggling fish with banana peels! In molecular orbital theory, each molecular orbital can hold not one, not two, but a whopping maximum of two electrons. It's like a double-decker bus for electrons!
So, B is the odd one out in this hilarious game of "True or Not True." Don't feel down, though. Some jokes are meant to be debunked.
The correct answer is B. Each molecular orbital can accommodate only one electron.
Explanation:
According to molecular orbital theory, molecular orbitals are formed when atomic orbitals combine. The bonding molecular orbital is filled before the antibonding orbital, which means that electrons are added to the bonding orbital first. The number of molecular orbitals formed is often equal to the number of atomic orbitals that combine to make them. A bonding molecular orbital is represented by σ, and an antibonding molecular orbital is represented by σ*. However, each molecular orbital can accommodate two electrons, not just one. So, option B is not true about molecular orbital theory.
To determine which statement is not true about molecular orbital theory, let's analyze each option:
A. The bonding molecular orbital is filled before the antibonding orbital.
This statement is true. In molecular orbital theory, electrons fill the bonding molecular orbital before filling the antibonding molecular orbital. This is known as the Aufbau principle.
B. Each molecular orbital can accommodate only one electron.
This statement is false. According to the Pauli exclusion principle, each molecular orbital can accommodate a maximum of two electrons, with opposite spins.
C. The number of molecular orbitals formed is often equal to the number of atomic orbitals that combine to make them.
This statement is true. In molecular orbital theory, when atomic orbitals combine, they form a set of molecular orbitals. The number of molecular orbitals formed is typically equal to the number of atomic orbitals that combine. For example, when two atomic orbitals combine, they form two molecular orbitals.
D. A bonding molecular orbital is σ, and an antibonding molecular orbital is σ*.
This statement is true. In molecular orbital theory, a bonding molecular orbital is represented by the symbol σ, while an antibonding molecular orbital is represented by the symbol σ*.
Based on the analysis, the statement that is not true about molecular orbital theory is:
B. Each molecular orbital can accommodate only one electron.
Hence, the correct answer is B.