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What is meant by the term bond order? Calculate the bond order of: \(N_2\)\(O_2\)\(O_2^+\) and \(O_2^-\) .

Updated On: Jan 20, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Bond Order:

Bond order is defined as half the difference between the number of electrons present in bonding molecular orbitals and antibonding molecular orbitals.

Mathematically,

Bond order = (Number of bonding electrons − Number of antibonding electrons) / 2


Calculation of bond order:


(i) N2

Electronic configuration (MO): 
(σ2s)2(σ*2s)2(π2px)2(π2py)2(σ2pz)2

Bonding electrons = 10 
Antibonding electrons = 4

Bond order = (10 − 4) / 2 = 3


(ii) O2

Electronic configuration (MO): 
(σ2s)2(σ*2s)2(σ2pz)2 (π2px)2(π2py)2 (π*2px)1(π*2py)1

Bonding electrons = 10 
Antibonding electrons = 6

Bond order = (10 − 6) / 2 = 2


(iii) O2+

O2+ is formed by removal of one electron from O2.

Bonding electrons = 10 
Antibonding electrons = 5

Bond order = (10 − 5) / 2 = 2.5


(iv) O2

O2 is formed by addition of one electron to O2.

Bonding electrons = 10 
Antibonding electrons = 7

Bond order = (10 − 7) / 2 = 1.5


Final Summary: 

SpeciesBond Order
N23
O22
O2+2.5
O21.5
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