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🧪 Chemistry  ·  Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure  ·  NEET & JEE

According to molecular orbital theory, the number of unpaired electrons present in a molecule of O<sub>2</sub> is:

Answer: 2.

  • A 2
  • B 0
  • C 1
  • D 3

Correct answer: A. 2

Explanation: In O<sub>2</sub>, the two highest electrons occupy the degenerate pi* antibonding orbitals singly, giving 2 unpaired electrons and explaining its paramagnetism.

Linear180 deg, e.g. CO2Trigonal Planar120 deg, e.g. BF3Tetrahedral109.5 deg, e.g. CH4Trigonal Bipyramidale.g. PCl5Octahedrale.g. SF6

VSEPR theory predicts molecular shape from the number of bonding and lone electron pairs around the central atom.

Concept context

Understand how atoms join to form molecules. Covers ionic and covalent bonding, VSEPR theory, hybridization (sp, sp², sp³), molecular orbital theory, bond polarity, and intermolecular forces like hydrogen bonding.

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