Drawing Energy Level Diagrams for LiF Molecule: How To?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the process of drawing energy level diagrams for the lithium fluoride (LiF) molecule, emphasizing the importance of molecular orbital (MO) theory. Participants highlight common mistakes, such as incorrectly placing electrons in antibonding orbitals, which leads to an inaccurate bond order calculation. The correct approach involves ensuring that the number of electrons in the molecular orbitals aligns with the expected bonding characteristics of LiF, which does not have electrons in antibonding orbitals. The conversation underscores the necessity of understanding the stability of p electrons in oxygen compared to 2s electrons in beryllium.

PREREQUISITES
  • Molecular Orbital Theory
  • Understanding of Bond Order Calculations
  • Knowledge of Electron Configuration for Li, F, and Be
  • Familiarity with Energy Level Diagrams
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Molecular Orbital Theory in detail
  • Learn how to calculate bond order for diatomic molecules
  • Research the electron configurations of lithium (Li) and fluorine (F)
  • Explore the significance of antibonding and bonding orbitals in molecular stability
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, particularly those studying inorganic chemistry, educators teaching molecular orbital theory, and anyone interested in understanding the bonding characteristics of diatomic molecules like LiF.

melissajohn
Messages
20
Reaction score
0
how do you draw the energy level diagrams for LiF molecule? i know how to draw an energy level digram for Li but how do you do it for a molecule?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
melissajohn said:
how do you draw the energy level diagrams for LiF molecule? i know how to draw an energy level digram for Li but how do you do it for a molecule?


Are you in Inorganic Chemistry?
 
yes i am... can you help?
 
Then this is a homework question ... you need to read your text and ask specific questions.
 
Where are all of the other 2p orbitals for Oxygen? What is the particular 2p orbital that would have the correct symmetry to overlap with the 2s orbital of Be? Where are all of the other valence electrons for Oxygen?

The diagram is partially correct , the p electrons of O are more stable than the 2s of Be.
 
ok i tried to fix it... i really hope this is right. please let me know if i am doing it right now. thanks.
 
here it is.
 

Attachments

  • BeO.jpg
    BeO.jpg
    8.3 KB · Views: 1,510
melissajohn said:
here it is.

You got more electrons in the MO than in the AO , with the current setup BeO has a bond order of zero.
 
ok... i will delete some electrons from the MO.
 
  • #10
Again , the bond order is zero , this means that BeO has no bonds ... why are you putting the electrons in the antibonding orbitals?
 
  • #12
right... i don't think i put electrons in the antiboding orbitals for LiF
 

Similar threads

How Is the Enthalpy of Formation for Lithium Fluoride Calculated?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Diagram of energy levels of hydrogen lines
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
6K
Graduate Electron capture in a molecule
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Energy level Diagram relating to SP3 hybridization
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
7K
What Is the Maximum Wavelength to Break the Weakest Bond in AsClF42-?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Chemistry Calculating delta H of reaction using bond energies?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Interpreting Energy diagrams for polyatomic molecules
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Chemistry Valence Bond Theory: Energy of a system with H and Cl atoms
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Conflict Between Infinite energy levels and Valence Shells
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Graduate Thomson - Rayleigh Scattering: Rotational & Vibrational Energy Levels
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K