1a1 mark
The d-orbitals of a transition metal are involved in the formation of complexes.
In terms of energy, explain what is meant by degenerate orbitals.
1b3 marks
Fig. 1.1 shows the shape of the dxy orbital.
Fig. 1.1
The dxz orbital has a similar shape but the lobes are between the x-axis and z-axis and the dyz orbital has a similar shape but the lobes are between the y-axis and z-axis.
i)
State the difference between the shape of a dxy orbital and the shape of a dx2–y2 orbital.
[1]
ii)
Complete the three-dimensional diagram in Fig. 1.2 to show the shape of a dz2 orbital.
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Fig. 1.2
[2]
1c1 mark
Suggest what causes d-orbitals in a transition metal ion to change from degenerate to non-degenerate.
1d2 marks
The splitting of degenerate d-orbitals gives two sets of non-degenerate d-orbitals at different energy levels.
Complete Table 1.1 to show the different energy levels of the non-degenerate d-orbitals in octahedral and tetrahedral complexes.
Table 1.1
| Higher energy | Lower energy | |
| Octahedral | ||
| Tetrahedral |
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