5.1.1: Molecular Orbitals from s Orbitals

Cards (4)

  • Starting with two atomic orbitals will produce two molecular orbitals
  • The average energy of the orbitals and the number of wavefunctions remain constant
  • Electrons adopt a longer wavelength and a lower energy
  • With one occupied molecular orbital and one unoccupied molecular orbital, only the occupied orbital makes an energetic contribution to the overall stability of the molecule