Question 11 1 pts Below are the photoelectron spectra of the the electrons in th

Question

Question 11 1 pts Below are the photoelectron spectra of the the electrons in the second energy level for nitrogen and oxygen. Based on the spectra below, which of the following best explains the difference in binding energy of the electrons in nitrogen and oxygen? Oxygen 131 30491 Nitrogen 4 S 6 7 9 10 1.40 2.45 O The oxygen electrons have more binding energy because oxygen has more protons in its nucleus than nitrogen does. O The oxygens in the 2s orbital have higher binding energy because oxygen has more protons while oxygen's 2p electrons have a lower binding energy due to greater electron-electron repulsion. O The nigrogen electrons in the 2s orbital are closer to the nucleus and experience a stronger attractive force giving them a higher binding energy The nitrogen electrons have more binding energy because nitrogen has less electron-electron repulsion.

Explanation / Answer

In spectra first peak corresponding to 2p electrons and second peak corresponding to 2s. Ingeneral 2s electrons have more binding energy than 2p electrons as 2s electrons are closer to nucleus.  

Given spectra shows that binding energy of 2p electron of oxygen is less than binding energy of 2p electron of nitrogen and binding energy of 2s electron of oxygen is greater than binding energy of 2s electron of nitrogen. Because oxygen has smaller size more number of protons in nucleus than nitrogen. Then 2s electrons are closer to nucleus in oxygen when compare in nitrogen, so they have more nucleus attractions and they have more binding energy.

Coming to the 2p electrons nitrogen has half filled 2p subshell that is more stable as each p orbital has an electron. So electron-electron repulsions are less in 2p orbital of nitrogen. In oxygen one orbital has two electrons and remaining two have an electron each. So electron-electron repulsions are more in 2p orbital of oxygen. Hence 2p orbital of oxygen has less binding energy than 2p orbital of nitrogen.

Second option is correct.

The oxygens in the 2s orbital have higher binding energy because has more protons while oxygen's 2p electrons have lower binding energy due greater electron-electron repulsion.

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