How atomic orbitals combine into bonding and antibonding molecular orbitals, the energy order for second-period molecules, bond order and magnetism, and the hydrogen bond.
3 lessons, about 1 h 15 min3 simulations10 problems3 practice questionsPython in every lesson
Created by StemPy LabAtomic orbitals of two atoms combine into molecular orbitals that belong to the whole molecule. Adding them gives a bonding orbital of lower energy, and subtracting gives an antibonding orbital of higher energy. Electrons fill them from the lowest energy up.
The bond order is half the difference between the bonding and antibonding electrons. A higher bond order means a stronger, shorter bond, and a bond order of zero means no stable molecule. A species with unpaired electrons is paramagnetic.
A hydrogen atom bonded to fluorine, oxygen or nitrogen carries a partial positive charge, and it is attracted to a lone pair on another such atom. This hydrogen bond can join molecules or two parts of one molecule. It raises boiling points, explains why ice floats, and helps substances such as ammonia dissolve in water.
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