Explain the following observations:
(1) `H_(2)^(+)` ion is more stable than `H_(2)^(-)` ion even though the bond orders of both the ions are the same.
(2) When a magnet is dipped in a jar containing liquid oxygen, some oxygen molecules cling to it.

Explanation

(1) The antibonding `sigma_(1s)^(**)` molecular orbital of `H_(2)^(-)` ion contains one electron but the antibonding `sigma_(1s)^(**)` molecular orbital of `H_(2)^(+)` ion contains no electron. Therefore `H_(2)^(+)` ion is more stable than `H_(2)^(-)` ion, even though their bond order are the same.
(2) The electronic configuration of oxygen of oxygen molecule `(O_(2))` shows the presence of two unpaired electorns this suggests that the molecule is paramagnetic in nature. thus, when a bar magnet is dipped in a jar off liquid oxygen, some molecule cling to it.