Chapter 1: Problem 18

Why are half-filled and completely filled orbitals more stable? Justify your answer with the help of suitable examples.

Short Answer

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Half-filled and completely filled orbitals are more stable because of reduced electron-electron repulsion, increased symmetry, and increased exchange energy. Examples include Carbon preferring a half-filled configuration for increased stability and maximum bonding.

Step by step solution

Understand Orbital Filling

Orbitals are filled according to the Aufbau principle which states that an electron populates orbitals in a way that it will have the lowest possible total energy. The orbitals filling starts from the lower energy level to the higher energy level.

Electron-Electron Repulsion

Inside an atom, electrons stay as far apart as possible due to electron-electron repulsion. So, the farther the electrons, the less is the repulsion and more stable the atom.

Symmetry

Fully filled and half filled orbitals offer symmetrical distribution of electrons, thereby maintaining stability. For example, in the case of carbon (C) in its ground state, it has electronic configuration of 1s² 2s² 2p² . But Carbon prefers to be in the 1s² 2s¹ 2p³ configuration - a half filled stable configuration. This also creates 4 unpaired electrons available for bonding.

Exchange Energy

In half filled and fully filled degenerate orbitals, any two electrons can exchange their positions, and the energy released during this process is called Exchange Energy. Greater the exchange energy, greater will be the stability of the atom.

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Why are half-filled and completely filled orbitals more stable? Justify your answer with the help of suitable examples.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understand Orbital Filling

Electron-Electron Repulsion

Symmetry

Exchange Energy

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