Read the following statements regarding Molecular Orbital Theory: (a) A positive bond order means a stable molecule while a negative or zero bond order means an unstable molecule. (b) Isoelectronic molecules and ions have identical bond orders. (c) Bond length decreases and bond enthalpy increases with an increase in bond order. (d) Antibonding molecular orbitals have lower energy than the corresponding bonding molec

Step-by-step solution

Statement (a) is correct. A positive bond order indicates more electrons in bonding orbitals than in antibonding orbitals, leading to a stable molecule. A zero or negative bond order indicates instability. Statement (b) is correct. Isoelectronic species have the same number of electrons and hence identical molecular orbital configurations and bond orders (e.g., N₂ and CO both have 14 electrons and a bond order of 3). Statement (c) is correct. A higher bond order implies a stronger bond, which means higher bond enth