Final answer:
Hybrid atomic orbitals are atom-specific and result from the reorganization of an atom's orbitals to maximize bond overlap, whereas LCAO molecular orbitals are delocalized over the entire molecule and formed by combining atomic orbitals to describe the overall electronic structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Difference Between Hybrid Atomic Orbitals and LCAO Molecular Orbitals
The primary difference between hybrid atomic orbitals in valence bond theory and LCAO molecular orbitals in molecular orbital theory is the conceptual approach to bonding and the distribution of electrons.
Valence bond theory explains covalent bonding through the overlap of atomic orbitals. The orbitals involved in bonding can undergo hybridization to form hybrid orbitals, which are specific to the atom involved and are oriented to maximize overlap and bonding with adjacent atoms. These hybrid orbitals often conform with the predictions of VSEPR theory to explain molecular geometries.
Molecular orbital theory, on the other hand, uses the principle of linear combinations of atomic orbitals (LCAO) to form molecular orbitals, which extend over all the atoms in a molecule. This delocalized approach allows for a description of bond formation through the distribution of electron density in molecular orbitals that can encompass the entire molecule. It offers explanations for phenomena such as resonance and allows for the calculation of electronic structure and properties.