In molecular orbital theory, what is the molecular orbital configuration of BeH2?

The molecular orbital configuration of BeH2 involves understanding how the atomic orbitals of beryllium and hydrogen combine to form molecular orbitals. In BeH2, beryllium has the electron configuration of 1s² 2s², while hydrogen has the electron configuration of 1s¹. When beryllium forms bonds with two hydrogen atoms, the relevant atomic orbitals are the 2s orbital of beryllium and the 1s orbitals of the two hydrogen atoms.

In this scenario, the 2s orbital from beryllium can combine with the 1s orbitals of the two hydrogen atoms to form bonding molecular orbitals. Each hydrogen atom contributes its 1s orbital, resulting in the formation of a bonding molecular orbital that will be filled with the corresponding electrons.

The answer indicating 2sBe and 1sHa + 1sHB correctly represents this configuration, highlighting the combination of the beryllium's 2s orbital with the 1s orbitals from both hydrogen atoms. This reflects the bonding nature of BeH2, where beryllium's lone 2s orbital is the primary contributor to hybridization, enabling it to form two