Which of the following molecular orbitals is produced when in-phase atomic orbitals overlap?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When in-phase atomic orbitals overlap, they form a bonding molecular orbital. This occurs because the wavefunctions of the atomic orbitals add constructively, leading to a region of increased electron density between the nuclei. This bonding molecular orbital is lower in energy than the original atomic orbitals, stabilizing the molecule. Conversely, when out-of-phase atomic orbitals overlap, they form an antibonding molecular orbital, which has higher energy than the original atomic orbitals and destabilizes the molecule. Nonbonding molecular orbitals result from the interaction of atomic orbitals that have similar energies but don't have the necessary phase relationship to form a bonding or antibonding combination. Excited energy states of molecular orbitals result from the absorption of energy by the molecule, which promotes an electron from a lower-energy orbital to a higher-energy orbital.

Which of the Following Molecular Orbitals Is Produced When In-Phase