When a hydrogen molecule absorbs light, an electron jumps...

Name: Problem 48, Chapter 1: Organic Chemistry
Uploaded: 2022-01-15T19:00:55-08:00
Duration: 1 min 22 s
Channel: Adriano Chikande
Description: When a hydrogen molecule absorbs light, an electron jumps from the bonding molecular orbital to the antibonding molecular orbital. Explain why this light absorption can lead to the dissociation of the hydrogen molecule into two hydrogen atoms. (This process, called photodissociation, can sometimes be used to initiate chemical reactions.)

When a hydrogen molecule absorbs light, an electron jumps from the bonding molecular orbital to the antibonding molecular orbital. Explain why this light absorption can lead to the dissociation of the hydrogen molecule into two hydrogen atoms. (This process, called photodissociation, can sometimes be used to initiate chemical reactions.)

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Key Concepts

Molecular Orbital Theory

Molecular orbital theory explains the formation of molecular orbitals through the combination of atomic orbitals. It distinguishes between bonding orbitals, which contribute to bond strength by increasing electron density between atoms, and antibonding orbitals, which decrease bond stability when occupied.

Antibonding Orbitals

Antibonding orbitals are higher-energy molecular orbitals that, when occupied by electrons, counteract the stabilizing effect of electrons in bonding orbitals. This occupation can lead to a net decrease in the bond order, making the molecule more susceptible to bond breakage.

Photodissociation

Photodissociation is the process in which a molecule absorbs a photon, promoting an electron to an excited state. This additional energy can weaken or break the chemical bonds, leading to the separation of the molecule into smaller fragments or individual atoms.

Electronic Excitation

Electronic excitation occurs when a molecule absorbs light and an electron transitions from a lower energy state to a higher energy state. This shift can alter the distribution of electron density, often destabilizing the normally stable configuration of the molecule.

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