Question R13 Q21 - MIT Science Bowl 2021

Which of the following statements best explains why the 2p sigma bonding orbitals in dinitrogen are higher in energy than the 2p pi bonding orbitals?

W) Nitrogen's p orbitals are relatively diffuse which allows for effective pi bonding interactions

X) The small size of nitrogen causes the sigma bonding set to rise in energy due to electrostatics

Y) The p orbital sigma bonding set interacts with the s orbital sigma bonding set which causes further mixing

Z) The shape of p orbitals makes them favor pi bonding

Science Bowl Question