Molecules take part in reactions and form compounds in ways that depend on the arrangement of electrons around their atoms. For instance, it is possible in this way to understand why carbon monoxide causes suffocation by attaching strongly to the iron atom of hemoglobin, thus preventing the attachment of oxygen molecules. Write the electron configuration of the ground state of the carbon monoxide molecule.

ANTICIPATE Carbon monoxide is known to have a triple bond, so you should expect to write a configuration with a bond order of three.

PLAN Assign the electrons to the orbitals shown in Fig. 2G.11, in accordance with the building-up principle.

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Energy X2p X2s 40' 2π * FIGURE 2G.11 30 20* 10 02p 02s