molecular orbital diagram

A molecular orbital diagram shows how atomic orbitals combine to form molecular orbitals when atoms bond. Think of atomic orbitals as individual neighborhoods, and molecular orbitals as shared communities where electrons from different atoms mingle. Some molecular orbitals are lower in energy (more stable) and can hold electrons easily, while others are higher in energy. Electrons fill these orbitals following certain rules, determining the molecule’s stability and properties. This diagram helps chemists understand how atoms bond and how molecules behave, providing a visual way to see the distribution and energy of electrons in a molecule.