What are molecular orbitals How do they compare with

Problem 1

What are molecular orbitals? How do they compare with atomic orbitals? Can you tell by the shape of the bonding and antibonding orbitals which is lower in energy? Explain.

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Step 1 of 3

Molecular orbitals :

It is a mathematical function describing the wave nature of an electron within a molecule.

The molecular orbitals can be used to describe the physical and chemical properties.

Example :

The probability of finding an electron in any of the space regions. Molecular orbitals can be formed by the linear combination of atomic orbitals.

And it can be divided into two types.

(1) Bonding molecular orbitals: These are lower in energy than the atomic orbitals which it is composed of.

(2) Antibonding molecular orbitals: These are higher in energy than the atomic orbitals in which they are composed.