Differences between atomic orbital and molecular orbital.
Atomic orbital | Molecular orbital |
1. It is the region having the highest probability of finding an electron in an atom. | 1. It is the region having the highest probability of finding an electron in a molecule. |
2. Formed by the electron cloud around the atom. | 2. Formed by the fusion of atomic orbitals that have nearly the same energy. |
3. The electrons of an atomic orbital are influenced by one positive nucleus. | 3. The electrons of a molecular orbital are influenced by the two or more nuclei depending upon the number of atoms in the molecule. |
4. Atomic orbitals have fixed shape and are named s, p, d and f . | 4. Molecular orbitals are named and shaped according to the type of hybridization. |