Energy state of hydrogen molecule

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SUMMARY

The ground energy state of the hydrogen molecule (H2) is definitively in the bonding state, which is lower than -13.6 eV, potentially around -20 to -30 eV, while the antibonding state is higher, approximately -6 to -8 eV. When light is shined on H2, one electron can transition to the antibonding state, which may lead to bond dissociation if the total energy exceeds the ground state energy. The possibility of multiple bonding orbitals existing below the atomic ground state of hydrogen is not feasible, as confirmed by the discussion participants.

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  • Understanding of quantum mechanics principles
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  • Knowledge of energy states in quantum systems
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Arafat Sagar
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I am doing my research on quantum transport. Now, I have some confusions- my questions and my idea about those go like this-

1. what is the ground energy state of hydrogen molecule?
>> as long as i know, hydrogen molecule has a bonding state and an antibonding state. i think bonding state has lower energy than -13.6 eV (i mean may be -20,-30 or something) and antibonding state must have higher energy (like -8 or -6 ev). The bonding energy state is the ground state of H2. am i right?

2. if i shine light on H2, what will happen?
>> may be one of the electron will go to the next upper state. next upper state is the antibonding state. am i right?

3. if one electron goes upward absorbing light, will the bond sustain?
>> may be the bond will be broken. because the overall energy antibonding+bonding will be greater than the ground state of hydrogen atom. the bond will not be broken if there are multiple bonding orbitals having energy less than the atomic ground state. am i right?

4. is it possible to have multiple bonding orbitals having energy less than the atomic ground state of hydrogen?

5. what is the numerical values of energy states of H2.
 
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Arafat Sagar said:
I am doing my research on quantum transport. Now, I have some confusions- my questions and my idea about those go like this-

1. what is the ground energy state of hydrogen molecule?
>> as long as i know, hydrogen molecule has a bonding state and an antibonding state. i think bonding state has lower energy than -13.6 eV (i mean may be -20,-30 or something) and antibonding state must have higher energy (like -8 or -6 ev). The bonding energy state is the ground state of H2. am i right?

2. if i shine light on H2, what will happen?
>> may be one of the electron will go to the next upper state. next upper state is the antibonding state. am i right?

3. if one electron goes upward absorbing light, will the bond sustain?
>> may be the bond will be broken. because the overall energy antibonding+bonding will be greater than the ground state of hydrogen atom. the bond will not be broken if there are multiple bonding orbitals having energy less than the atomic ground state. am i right?

4. is it possible to have multiple bonding orbitals having energy less than the atomic ground state of hydrogen?

5. what is the numerical values of energy states of H2.

I've taken just one course in physical chemistry so I'm not certain on these questions. I'll attempt to answer anyway though, and hopefully a more knowledgeable member can confirm :)

1. I don't think you can really calculate the ground energy state. Or doing so, at least, is difficult. Usually you calculate the differences in energy between ground state and a higher energy level.

2. I think the light would have to have a high enough frequency in order to affect the H2 molecule.

3. Not sure.

4. I don't think it's possible to be lower energy than the ground state.

5. You will want to look at the difference in energy level between each and the ground state. I'm not sure where to find this outside of a P Chem book.
 

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