Assume the internuclear axis is the Z-axis. When two 2p_x atomic orbitals combine to form a ^ * (antibonding) molecular orbital, which of the following represents its nodal planes?

Step-by-step solution

Let the internuclear axis be the Z-axis. The combining atomic orbitals are 2p_x . An individual p_x orbital has a nodal plane where electron density is zero, which is the yz -plane (where x=0 ). This inherent nodal plane is retained in the resulting molecular orbitals. Since the orbitals overlap sideways, they form and ^ * molecular orbitals. The ^ * molecular orbital is an antibonding orbital, formed by the destructive interference of the electron waves. This creates an additional nodal plane located between the t