Difference Between Atomic and Molecular Orbitals:
Following are the points of difference between atomic and molecular orbitals-
| Atomic Orbitals | Molecular Orbitals |
|---|---|
| It is the region in space around the nucleus of an atom where the probability of finding the electron is maximum. | It is the region in space defined by its size and shape and associated with two or more atoms in a molecule. |
| It is monocentric, i.e. the electron is moving in the field of only one nucleus. | It is polycentric i.e. electron is moving in the field of more than one nucleus. |
| These are represented by letters s, p, d and f. | These are represented by symbols σ, π, δ, Φ etc. |
| These have simple shapes. | These have complex shapes. |
| It is only of one type. | These are of two types i.e. Bonding and Anti-bonding. |
| These are less stable and acquire stability by forming bonds with other atoms. | These are comparatively more stable than atomic orbitals and show no tendency to form bonds with other atoms or molecules. |
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