When the ls orbitals of two hydrogen atoms combine to form a hydrogen molecule,which molecular orbitals are formed?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When two hydrogen atoms combine to form a hydrogen molecule, the two 1s atomic orbitals combine to form two molecular orbitals: a bonding molecular orbital and an antibonding molecular orbital. The bonding orbital is lower in energy than the atomic orbitals, and electrons are stabilized when they occupy it. The antibonding orbital is higher in energy than the atomic orbitals and is destabilized when electrons occupy it. Therefore, the molecule is more stable when the electrons occupy the bonding molecular orbital. Hence, one bonding molecular orbital and one antibonding molecular orbital are formed.

When the Ls Orbitals of Two Hydrogen Atoms Combine to Form