Molecular Orbital Formation & Bond Order
Two 1s orbitals combining by linear combination (LCAO). Choose a nucleus and an electron count to explore H₂⁺, H₂, He₂⁺, He₂ and more.
H₂
electron configuration
(σ1s)²
Bonding orbital: σ(1s), in phase ψ = 1sA + 1sB
Antibonding orbital: σ*(1s), out of phase ψ = 1sA − 1sB
positive phase
negative phase
nodal plane (ψ = 0)
MO energy-level diagram one-electron levels at current R
Potential energy curve electronic energy only