Chemistry: Atoms First (2nd Edition)

Published by Cengage Learning
ISBN 10: 1305079248
ISBN 13: 978-1-30507-924-3

Chapter 4 - Questions - Page 197a: 19

Answer

The MO model provides a more accurate and comprehensive description of the bonding in $NO^{-}$ and NO compared to the hybrid orbital model, particularly when dealing with molecules with an odd number of electrons.

Work Step by Step

The molecular orbital (MO) model does a better job in explaining the bonding in $NO^{-}$ and NO compared to the hybrid orbital model for the following reasons: 1. The hybrid orbital model assumes that the atoms form bonds by sharing electron pairs in a specific arrangement (e.g., sp, sp^2, sp^3). However, this model fails to accurately describe the bonding in molecules with an odd number of electrons, such as $NO^{-}$ and NO. 2. The MO model, on the other hand, considers the formation of bonding and antibonding molecular orbitals, which can accommodate both paired and unpaired electrons. This allows the MO model to better explain the electronic configuration and bonding in molecules with an odd number of electrons. 3. In the case of $NO^{-}$ and NO, the MO model can account for the presence of an unpaired electron in the π^* molecular orbital, which is responsible for the paramagnetic nature of these species. 4. The hybrid orbital model would struggle to explain the electronic configuration and bonding in $NO^{-}$ and NO, as it would not be able to accommodate the unpaired electron in a satisfactory manner. Therefore, the MO model provides a more accurate and comprehensive description of the bonding in $NO^{-}$ and NO compared to the hybrid orbital model, particularly when dealing with molecules with an odd number of electrons.
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