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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: IBM on September 11, 2018, 12:20:40 PM

Title: Difference between 'atomic orbitals' and 'molecular orbitals'?
Post by: IBM on September 11, 2018, 12:20:40 PM

What is the difference between 'atomic orbitals' and 'molecular orbitals'?

'atomic orbitals' means electrons including orbitals most likely to be found in atoms?
'molecular orbitals' means electrons including orbitals most likely to be found in molecules?

Title: Re: Difference between 'atomic orbitals' and 'molecular orbitals'?
Post by: Corribus on September 11, 2018, 12:43:56 PM

Yes. In most approaches, molecular orbitals are formed by taking (linear) combinations of atomic orbitals.