The energy of a bonding molecular orbital is typically what compared to the energy of the atomic orbitals from which it formed?

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Multiple Choice

The energy of a bonding molecular orbital is typically what compared to the energy of the atomic orbitals from which it formed?

Bonding molecular orbitals are formed when atomic orbitals combine in phase, increasing electron density between the two nuclei. That added density strengthens attraction to both nuclei and stabilizes the system, so the bonding molecular orbital ends up at a lower energy than the atomic orbitals it formed from. This lowered energy is what drives bond formation. (Antibonding combinations, by contrast, have a node between the nuclei and are higher in energy.)

Bonding molecular orbitals are formed when atomic orbitals combine in phase, increasing electron density between the two nuclei. That added density strengthens attraction to both nuclei and stabilizes the system, so the bonding molecular orbital ends up at a lower energy than the atomic orbitals it formed from. This lowered energy is what drives bond formation. (Antibonding combinations, by contrast, have a node between the nuclei and are higher in energy.)

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