In: Chemistry
What is the diference between an atomic orbital and a molecular orbital? WHich bonding theories are each type of orbital applicable/relevant?
Answer: Atomic orbital : It is describe the wave like behavior of either one electron or a pair of electrons in an atom. This function can be used to calculate the probability of finding any electron of an atom in any specific region of the atom. Atomic orbitasls refer to s,p,d,f as you stated.
Now , MOlecular orbitals : Molecular orbitals can have different shapes due to "hybridization" of the atomic orbitals of the atoms involved in the molecular bonds. The orbitals of the bonding atoms join to form different shapes such as sp, sp2, sp3. There are other shapes involving the "d" orbitals, too. We know these molecular orbitals as "sigma" and "pi" bonds according to the orbitals which join and the shape they take.
In short the This function can be used to calculate chemical and physical properties such as the probability of finding an electron in any specific region.
Hence , this is all about the atomic orbitals and molecular orbital