QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
What is the bond order of Li^2− ? Express the bond order numerically.
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Answer
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Step 1:: Write out the electron configuration for a Li atom.
Its electron configuration is $$1s^2 2s^1$$.
A neutral lithium atom has 3 electrons.
Step 2:: Determine the electron configuration for the Li^2− ion.
The electron configuration for each lithium atom in the Li2− ion is then $$1s^1 2s^2$$.
The Li^2− ion has two lithium atoms that have donated one electron each to form a bond, resulting in a total of 4 electrons being shared between the two atoms. To accommodate these 4 electrons, one of the lithium atoms is promoted from its ground state to an excited state.
Step 3:: Calculate the bond order.
The bond order is given by the formula: In the Li^2− ion, there are 2 electrons in the bonding molecular orbital and none in the antibonding molecular orbital. Therefore, the bond order is:
Final Answer
The bond order of Li^2− is 1, indicating a single bond between the two lithium atoms.
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