Chemistry / Unit 6 Chem 1125 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Molecular Orbital Theory's Core Claim
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The idea
Molecular orbital theory treats bonding electrons as occupying orbitals belonging to the whole molecule, formed by combining every bonded atom's orbitals together.
In practice
Combining two hydrogen 1s orbitals produces two molecular orbitals spanning the entire H2 molecule, not one localized bond region.
Where people slip
This model replaces one localized shared-pair picture with orbitals spread across the molecule; it is a distinct model, not a refinement.
Your place on the trail
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