Use the 2p_x and 2p_z hydrogenic atomic orbitals to construct simple LCAO descriptions of 2pσ and 2pπ molecular orbitals.

(a) Make a probability density plot, and both surface and contour plots of the xz-plane amplitudes of the 2p_zσ and 2p_zσ* molecular orbitals.

(b) Make surface and contour plots of the xz-plane amplitudes of the 2p_xπ and 2p_xπ* molecular orbitals. Include plots for both an internuclear distance, R, of 10a₀ and 3a₀, where a₀ = 52.9 pm. Interpret the graphs, and explain why this graphical information is useful.