Explain the bonding in oxygen molecule.

Explanation

(i) alence shell electronic configuration of oxygen atom is: `2s^(2)" "2p_(x)^(2)" "2p_(y)^(1)" "2p_(z)^(1)`
Oxygen 1

Oxygen 2
(ii) When the half filled `p_(z)` orbitals of two oxygen atoms overlap laterally to form a `(pi)`- covalent bond between the oxygen atoms.
(iii) Thus in oxygen molecule. two oxygen atoms are connected by two covalentbonds (double bond). The other two pair of electrons present in the 2s and `2p_(x)` orbital do not involve in bonding and remains as lone pair on the respective oxygen atoms.