Which molecular orbitals for homonuclear diatomic molecules are degenerate?
A)π molecular orbitals
B)σ molecular orbitals
C)π molecular orbitals and σ molecular orbitals
D)neither π molecular orbitals nor σ molecular orbitals

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

π molecular orbitals are degenerate because they consist of two orbitals (π and π*) of the same energy level, one on each side of the molecular axis. This degeneracy occurs because the electron density is distributed symmetrically in two lobes above and below the plane of the nuclei, making the energy levels identical for these orbitals. σ molecular orbitals, on the other hand, are not degenerate as they are centered along the axis connecting the two nuclei, leading to unique energy levels for each σ orbital.

Which Molecular Orbitals for Homonuclear Diatomic Molecules Are Degenerate