Question

According to molecular orbital theory, what must be true for an interaction to be strong between two overlapping orbitals?

a) They should both be p-orbitals.
b) Their energies should be different.
c) They should not interact with each other spatially.
d) Their overlap should be large, and their energies must be similar.
e) They must both contain two electrons.

Answer 1

In molecular orbital theory, for an interaction to be strong between two overlapping orbitals, their overlap should be large, and their energies must be similar.

Step-by-step explanation:

In order for an interaction to be strong between two overlapping orbitals according to molecular orbital theory, their overlap should be large, and their energies must be similar. This means that the orbitals should have a significant overlap in space, and their energy levels should be relatively close. The greater the overlap and similarity in energies, the stronger the interaction between the orbitals.