Question 1

Which type of hybridization is present in the central atom of BeCl$$_2$$ and what is the resulting molecular geometry?

Accepted Answer

sp hybridization; linear geometry

Question 2

According to valence bond theory, what is the main reason that covalent bonds are directional when formed by orbitals other than s orbitals?

Accepted Answer

Because the overlap of atomic orbitals is maximized along specific axes

Question 3

Which of the following molecules would you expect to have sp$$^3d $$hybridization at the central atom?

Accepted Answer

PCl$$_5$$

Question 4

What is the bond order of H$$_2$$ according to molecular orbital theory? Use the formula $$	ext{bond order} = \frac{1}{2}(\#\ e^-\ 	ext{in bonding MOs} - \#\ e^-\ 	ext{in antibonding MOs}).$$

Accepted Answer

$$1$$

Question 5

Which statement best describes the difference between valence bond theory and molecular orbital theory?

Accepted Answer

Valence bond theory uses atom-centered orbitals and molecular orbital theory uses molecule-centered orbitals.

Question 6

Which molecule is predicted to be paramagnetic according to molecular orbital theory?

Accepted Answer

O$$_2$$

Question 7

What is the bond order of He$$_2$$ according to molecular orbital theory?

Accepted Answer

$$0$$

Question 8

In the molecule C$$_2H$_4 ($$ethylene), what type of hybridization is present at each carbon atom and what is the geometry around each carbon?

Accepted Answer

sp$$^2$$ hybridization; trigonal planar geometry

Question 9

Which of the following best explains why O$$_2 is $$paramagnetic?

Accepted Answer

O$$_2$$ has unpaired electrons in its antibonding molecular orbitals.

Question 10

Which hybridization corresponds to a central atom with six charge clouds and what is the resulting geometry?

Accepted Answer

sp$$^3d$^2$$; octahedral

Question 11

In the molecule SF$$_6$$, which orbitals on the central atom are hybridized and what is the geometry of the molecule?

Accepted Answer

One s, three p, and two d orbitals; octahedral geometry

Question 12

Which of the following molecules has a bond order of zero according to molecular orbital theory?

Accepted Answer

He$$_2$$

Question 13

What is the effect of increasing bond order on bond strength and bond length?

Accepted Answer

Bond strength increases and bond length decreases

Question 14

Which of the following is true about the overlap of atomic orbitals in the formation of a double bond in C$$_2H$_4$$?

Accepted Answer

One sigma ($$\sigma) $$bond is formed by head-on overlap and one pi ($$\pi) $$bond is formed by sideways overlap of p orbitals.

Question 15

Which rule is NOT used when adding electrons to molecular orbitals in MO diagrams?

Accepted Answer

Octet rule

Question 16

In molecular orbital theory, what is the result of a constructive combination of atomic orbitals?

Accepted Answer

A bonding molecular orbital

Question 17

Which molecule has a trigonal planar geometry and sp$$^2$$ hybridization at the central atom?

Accepted Answer

BF$$_3$$

Question 18

What is the bond order of H$$_2^+$$ according to molecular orbital theory?

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{1}{2}$$

Question 19

Which of the following statements about resonance is true according to molecular orbital theory?

Accepted Answer

Resonance is explained by delocalized electrons in molecular orbitals.

Question 20

Which molecule would you expect to be diamagnetic based on its molecular orbital diagram?

Accepted Answer

N$$_2$$

Valence Bond Theory and Hybridization in General Chemistry

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards