Lewis Dot Structure vs Molecular Orbital Theory: Key Differences

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Questions and Answers

How does constructive interference of orbitals affect electron probability?

Increases electron probability (correct)

Does not affect electron probability

Decreases electron probability

Locks electrons in place

What is the main difference between sigma and pi bonds?

Sigma bonds are linear while pi bonds are not (correct)

Sigma bonds are weaker than pi bonds

Pi bonds are stronger than sigma bonds

Pi bonds involve only s-orbitals

How is bond order calculated in molecular orbital theory?

Dividing total electrons by the number of atoms

Subtracting electrons in bonding orbitals

Dividing by two after subtracting anti-bonding electrons (correct)

Adding electrons in anti-bonding orbitals

In what situation do atomic orbitals not overlap to form molecular orbitals?

When atoms are rotated and orbitals no longer overlap Signup and view all the answers

What is the bond order for a molecule with 10 bonding electrons and 8 anti-bonding electrons?

2 Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between valence bond theory and molecular orbital theory?

Valence bond theory only considers valence electrons, while molecular orbital theory considers all electrons and orbitals. Signup and view all the answers

How does molecular orbital theory differ from valence bond theory in terms of electron interactions?

In molecular orbital theory, all electrons interact with all surrounding atoms, unlike valence bond theory that involves interactions of only valence electrons. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary basis of molecular orbital theory?

Quantum mechanical equations predicting electron locations Signup and view all the answers

How are molecular orbitals different from atomic orbitals?

Molecular orbitals are formed from interactions among multiple atoms, while atomic orbitals are specific to individual atoms. Signup and view all the answers

Why does molecular orbital theory provide a more comprehensive view than valence bond theory?

Molecular orbital theory considers all electrons and orbitals interacting, unlike valence bond theory that only involves valence electrons. Signup and view all the answers

What does the energy gap between bonding and anti-bonding orbitals determine?

Bond strength Signup and view all the answers

In molecular orbital theory, why does a bond appear weaker when bonding and anti-bonding orbitals are close in energy?

It requires less energy to move an electron to the anti-bonding orbital Signup and view all the answers

How are bonds between atoms with different electronegativities represented in MO diagrams?

The bond has a partial negative character on the more electronegative atom Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of molecular orbitals allows for easy determination of bond order?

Difference in energy levels of bonding and anti-bonding orbitals Signup and view all the answers

How does a polar bond differ from a covalent bond in terms of electron density?

Electron density is higher on the less electronegative atom in a polar bond Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Molecular Orbital Theory vs Valence Bond Theory

Molecular orbital theory provides a more comprehensive view than valence bond theory
The primary difference between the two theories is how they describe electron interactions
Valence bond theory focuses on electron pairing between atoms, whereas molecular orbital theory considers the entire molecule as a whole

Bond Order and Molecular Orbitals

Bond order is calculated by subtracting the number of anti-bonding electrons from the number of bonding electrons and dividing by 2
For a molecule with 10 bonding electrons and 8 anti-bonding electrons, the bond order is 1
Molecular orbitals are different from atomic orbitals as they are delocalized over the entire molecule

Sigma and Pi Bonds

The main difference between sigma and pi bonds is the orientation of the overlap of atomic orbitals
Sigma bonds have end-to-end overlap, while pi bonds have side-by-side overlap

Electron Probability and Interference

Constructive interference of orbitals increases electron probability between the nuclei of bonded atoms
Destructive interference decreases electron probability

MO Diagrams and Electronegativity

Bonds between atoms with different electronegativities are represented in MO diagrams as polar bonds
Polar bonds have unequal electron density between atoms

Energy Gap and Bond Strength

The energy gap between bonding and anti-bonding orbitals determines the strength of a bond
When bonding and anti-bonding orbitals are close in energy, the bond appears weaker
A larger energy gap results in a stronger bond

Characteristics of Molecular Orbitals

Molecular orbitals allow for easy determination of bond order
Molecular orbitals are delocalized over the entire molecule, unlike atomic orbitals which are localized between atoms

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Description

Learn about how atoms bond and interact through the concepts of Lewis dot structures and resonance in the context of molecular orbital theory. Understand how electrons form bonds through overlapping valence orbitals and interactions.

Molecular Orbital Theory: Lewis Dot Structure and Resonance