Tuesday, July 10, 2018

bond - How can two orbitals constructively and destructively interfere simultaneously?


The molecular orbital theory dictates that when two atomic orbitals form molecular orbitals, then two molecular orbitals must form (i.e number of atomic orbitals = number of molecular orbitals). For this to occur there must be bonding molecular orbitals and anti-bonding molecular orbitals. The bonding MO's are caused when the orbitals constructively interfere and the anti-bonding orbitals form as the orbitals destructively interfere. I understand the concept of interference but I do not understand how two atomic orbitals (one from each bonding atom) can simultaneously interfere constructively and destructively. Moreover, I am under the impression that the anti-bonding orbitals exist even if they're not occupied. As a result, is it correct to think that it's the orbitals themselves that are the waves, not the electrons?


In summary:



  1. How can two orbitals interfere constructively and destructively?

  2. Do anti-bonding orbitals exist when not occupied?

  3. Is it the orbitals themselves that are interfering with each other like waves?





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