Question

What is crystal field splitting energy?

Hint:

Crystal Field Splitting Energy (\(\Delta\)) depends on: - The nature of the ligand (strong field or weak field). - The oxidation state of the metal ion. - The geometry of the complex (octahedral, tetrahedral, square planar).

Answer 1

The energy used in the splitting of degenerate d-orbitals due to the presence of ligands in a definite geometry is called Crystal Field Splitting Energy.
Step 1: Understanding Crystal Field Splitting Energy When ligands approach a transition metal ion, the degeneracy of the d-orbitals is lifted due to electrostatic interactions, causing them to split into two sets of orbitals: \[ t_{2g} \quad \text{(lower energy)} \quad \text{and} \quad e_g \quad \text{(higher energy)} \] The energy difference between these orbitals is called Crystal Field Splitting Energy (\(\Delta\)).