According to Molecular Orbital Theory, which of the following represents the Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO) for the N₂ molecule?

Step-by-step solution

Total number of electrons in N₂ is 14. For molecules with up to 14 electrons, the molecular orbital energy sequence is: _ 1s _ 1s ^2 ^*_ 1s ^2 _ 2s ^2 ^*_ 2s ^2 _ 2p_x ^2 = _ 2p_y ^2 _ 2p_z ^2 The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) is _ 2p_z . The next available empty orbital, which is the Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO), is the degenerate pair ^ * _ 2p_x and ^ * _ 2p_y (represented as ^ * _ 2p ). Answer: ^ * _ 2p