Molecular orbitals are formed by the overlap of atomic orbitals. Two atomic called bonding molecular orbital (BMO) and anti - bonding molecular orbital (ABMO). Energy of anti - bonding molecular orbital (BMO) and anti - bonding molecular orbital ABMO). Energy of anti - bonding orbitals is raised above the parent atomic orbitals that have combined and the energy of the bonding orbital is lowered than the parent atomic orbitals. Energies of various molecular orbitals for elements hydrogen to nitrogen increase in the order : `sigma1slt sigma^(**)1s lt sigma2sltsigma^(**)2slt(pi2p_(x)~~pi2p_(y))ltsigma2p_(z)lt(pi^(**)p2p_(x)~~pi^(**)2p_(y))ltsigma^(**)2p_(z)` and for oxygen and fluorine order of energy of molecular orbitals is given as : `sigma1s lt sigma^(**)1slt sigma2sltsigma^(**)2sltsigma2p_(z)lt(pi2p_(x)~=2pi2p_(y))lt(pi^(**)2p_(x)~=pi^(**)2p_(y))ltsigma^(**)2p_(z).` Different atomic orbitals of one atom combine with those atomic orbitals of the second atom which have comparable energies and proper orientation. Further, if the overlapping is head on, the molecular orbital is called 'sigma', `(sigma)` and if the overlap is lateral, the molecular orbital is called 'pi', `(pi)`. The molecular orbitals are filled with electrons according to the same rules as followed for filling of atomic orbitals. However, the order for filling is not the same for all moleculas or their ions. Bond order is one of hte most important parameters to compare the strength of bonds.
Which of the following molecular orbitals has maximum number of nodal planes?

Options

A. `sigam^(**)1s`
B. `sigma^(**)2p_(z)`
C. `pi2p_(x)`
D. `pi^(**)2p_(y)`

Explanation

To determine which molecular orbital has the maximum number of nodal planes, we need to analyze the given molecular orbitals and their characteristics. Here's a step-by-step solution:

### Step 1: Understand Nodal Planes
A nodal plane is a region in a molecular orbital where the probability of finding an electron is zero. The number of nodal planes is related to the type of molecular orbital:
- **Sigma (σ) orbitals** typically have 1 nodal plane.
- **Pi (π) orbitals** can have more than 1 nodal plane, depending on their orientation and combination.

### Step 2: Analyze Each Molecular Orbital
1. **σ* 1s**:
- Formed from the overlap of two 1s orbitals.
- Has **1 nodal plane**.

2. **σ* 2pz**:
- Formed from the overlap of two 2pz orbitals.
- Has **1 nodal plane**.

3. **π2p(x)**:
- Formed from the overlap of two 2px orbitals.
- Has **1 nodal plane**.

4. **π*2p(y)**:
- Formed from the overlap of two 2py orbitals.
- Has **2 nodal planes** (one along the axis of overlap and one perpendicular to it).

### Step 3: Compare the Number of Nodal Planes
Now, let's summarize the number of nodal planes for each molecular orbital:
- **σ* 1s**: 1 nodal plane
- **σ* 2pz**: 1 nodal plane
- **π2p(x)**: 1 nodal plane
- **π*2p(y)**: 2 nodal planes

### Step 4: Conclusion
Among the given molecular orbitals, the **π*2p(y)** orbital has the maximum number of nodal planes, which is **2**.

### Final Answer
The molecular orbital with the maximum number of nodal planes is **π*2p(y)**.

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