Question

Part C. (3 pt) Explain how and why the number of nodes affects the stability of the electrons in a given molecular orbital.

Answer 1

Nodes are the planes or points with zero elecron density in a molecular orbital,l. Always bordered to 2 or more orbital lobes. Probability of finding electrons in nodes a usually zero. ​​​​​​. and ​​​​​​.

We can say that when there is more nodes, higher will be the energy. ie less stable it is. By Huckel molecular orbital it theory, the equation for number of nodes = (n-1) , where n is the principal quantum number.

The energy of an atomic orbital depends upon quantum number n.

where Z - atomic number , En - Energy of molecular orbital.

Here more n means more nodes and higher (less negative) energy, which is in agreement with general node rule for n.

​​​​​As energy increases the stability of electon orbital decreases