The more effectively two atomic orbitals overlap,________.
A)the more bonding MOs will be produced by the combination
B)the higher will be the energy of the resulting bonding MO and the lower will be the energy of the resulting antibonding MO
C)the higher will be the energies of both bonding and antibonding MOs that result
D)the fewer antibonding MOs will be produced by the combination
E)the lower will be the energy of the resulting bonding MO and the higher will be the energy of the resulting antibonding MO

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The more effectively two atomic orbitals overlap, the closer the resulting molecular orbital energy levels will be to each other, which leads to a smaller energy gap between bonding and antibonding MOs. This means that the energy of the resulting bonding MO will be lower, and the energy of the resulting antibonding MO will be higher. Therefore, choice E is the best choice.

The More Effectively Two Atomic Orbitals Overlap,________