Numford
Bond order

Bond order of He₂

Bond order 0, diamagnetic. 4 electrons: Nb = 2, Na = 2.

HeHe
  • He

He₂Helium (two atoms)

Bond order 0

4 electrons, all paired

i

Bond order zero: He2 does not exist as a molecule.

  • Bond order0
  • Magnetismdiamagnetic
  • Electrons4

Molecular orbitals

4 electrons
0bond order
diamagnetic

(Nb − Na) / 2 = (2 − 2) / 2

1s1sσ1sσ*1sHe atomMoleculeHe atomEnergy

σ1s² σ*1s²

Working

Bond order step by step

  1. He₂ has 4 electrons: 2 from each He.
  2. Configuration: σ1s² σ*1s²
  3. Bonding electrons Nb = 2, antibonding electrons Na = 2.
  4. Bond order = (Nb − Na) / 2 = (2 − 2) / 2 = 0.
  5. Every electron is paired, so He₂ is diamagnetic.
  6. A bond order of zero means there is no bond: He₂ is not a stable molecule.

Class 11, Chapter 4 Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure.

Questions

Bond order of He2: quick answers

What is the bond order of He2?

0. Bond order = (Nb − Na) / 2 = (2 − 2) / 2 = 0. Bonding electrons Nb = 2, antibonding electrons Na = 2.

Is He2 paramagnetic or diamagnetic?

Diamagnetic. Every electron is paired, so He₂ is diamagnetic.

What is the molecular orbital configuration of He2?

σ1s² σ*1s², with 4 electrons in all.

Try any molecule