Molecular Orbitals and Period 2 Diatomic Molecules (Sections)Consider the molecular orbita...

Molecular Orbitals and Period 2 Diatomic Molecules (Sections)

Consider the molecular orbitals of the P2 molecule. Assume that the MOs of diatomics from the third row of the periodic table are analogous to those from the second row. (a) Which valence atomic orbitals of P are used to construct the MOs of P2? (b) The figure that follows shows a sketch of one of the MOs for P2. What is the label for this MO? (c) For the P2 molecule, how many electrons occupy the MO in the figure? (d) Is P2 expected to be diamagnetic or paramagnetic?