Question

Why N2 is more stable than O2. Explain on the basis of Molecular Orbital Theory

Answer 1

Molecular orbitals of nitrogen and oxygen is as below:
 
Nitrogen molecule has 14 electrons. So the electron distributions in molecular orbital are as below
 
N2 = σ1s2 σ*1s2   σ2s2 σ*2s2  σ2px2   π(2py22pz2)    
 
Bond order = (No. of electrons in bonding orbitals - No. of electrons in bonding orbitals)/2
                    =(10-4)/2 = 3
 
Oxygen molecule has 16 electrons. So the electron distributions in molecular orbital are as below
 
O2 = σ1s2 σ*1s2   σ2s2 σ*2s2  σ2px2   π(2py22pz2)  π*(2py1 2pz1)
 
 Bond order= (10-6)/2 = 2
 
As bond order of nitrogen is more than that of oxygen, nitrogen is more stable than oxygen.

Answer 2

Answer:

Explanation:

Compare the stability of N2 and O2 molecule on the basis of molecule orbital theory