[newbie!]

sketch a d electron energy diagram for a low-spind6 octahedral complex.
annotate the split d levels with their conventional symmetry labels and indicate delta 0 ont he diagram.

ok so do they mean like a MO diagram?
all i really know is the ones that look like:
               ______             
             /            \
_______/                \_________
           \                /
             \________/
if you get what i mean? with the 1sigma2 1pie4 etc and the g's and u's

[stewie griffin]

Although the MO diagram is certainly the more complete description of a transition metal octahedral complex, I imagine that since this is a general chemistry course the question is looking for a crystal field theory explanation. Really, in the end, crystal field theory is a simplified way of looking at the MO's where you only consider the d electrons.
Maybe I'm wrong on my assumptions here though. I would say take a look in your book under crystal field theory and check out t_2g orbitals and e_g orbitals.... see if  those topics ring any bells for you.

[newbie!]

i;ll take a look, but i dont htink its to do with crystals.

[stewie griffin]

No it' doesn't have anything to do with crystals in the sense of what an average person thinks a crystal is.
Trust me... your use of the "low spin" in the original post immediately indicates crystal field theory.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_field_theory

[newbie!]

hai guess i missed that in lectures!
i've found a bit in my course textbook (shriver and atkins inorganic chem 4th ed. - incase anyones familiar with it) that covers it so i;ll read up on that.
but i dont really understand basic mo theory so yeah.. eek!