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According to Crystal Field Theory, what happens to the degeneracy of the five d - orbitals when a spherically symmetric ligand field is applied to the metal atom/ion?

Option: 1

the degeneracy is destroyed


Option: 2

the orbitals are still degenerate but at a higher potential energy level as compared to an isolated metal atom/ion


Option: 3

the orbitals are still degenerate but at a lower potential energy level as compared to an isolated metal atom/ion


Option: 4

splitting of the five d-orbitals occurs into two discrete energy levels


Answers (1)

best_answer

As we have learnt, 

 The five d orbitals in an isolated gaseous metal atom/ion have same energy, i.e., they are degenerate. This degeneracy is maintained at a higher potential energy level if a spherically symmetrical field of negative charges surrounds the metal atom/ion.

It is to be mentioned that the potential energy of the orbitals will increase as there are some repulsions between the electrons in the ligand and the electrons present in the metal but since the field is spherically symmetrical, these repulsions will be equal and as a result, the five d- orbitals will still be degenerate but at a higher energy level.

Hence, the correct answer is Option (2)

Posted by

vishal kumar

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