Question

What is the electronic configuration of hydrogen molecule?

(a) σ1s^2

(b) σ1s^1

(c) σ1s

(d) σ*1s

I had been asked this question in a national level competition.

My doubt stems from Bonding in Some Homonuclear Diatomic Molecules topic in section Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure of Chemistry – Class 11

Answer 1

The correct option is (a) σ1s^2

Easy explanation: In a hydrogen atom, each hydrogen shares an electron from 1s orbital, so in total there are two electrons present in 1s bonding orbital of the molecule. So the electronic configuration of the hydrogen molecule is σ1s^2.