Molecular Orbital Theory

Sigma

________ bonding molecular orbital: an orbital in which electron density lies between the two nuclei, along the axis joining them, and is cylindrically symmetric about the axis.

Schrödinger equation

Just as the ________ can be used to calculate the energies and shapes of atomic orbitals, molecular orbital theory assumes that the ________ can also be used to calculate the energies and shapes of molecular orbitals.

Molecular orbital theory

a theory of chemical bonding in which electrons in molecules occupy molecular orbitals that extend over the entire molecule and are formed by the combination of the atomic orbitals that make up the molecule

Bonding molecular orbital

an orbital in which electrons have a lower energy than they would in the isolated atomic orbitals

Sigma bonding molecular orbital

an orbital in which electron density lies between the two nuclei, along the axis joining them, and is cylindrically symmetric about the axis

Antibonding molecular orbital

an orbital in which the electrons in it have a higher energy (are more easily removed) than they would have in the isolated atomic orbitals