Question

Fluorine molecules is formed by:

• A. the axial $p-p$ orbital overlap
• B. the sideways $p$-porbital overlap
• C. the $s-s$ orbital overlap
• D. the $s-p$ orbital overlap

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

the axial $p-p$ orbital overlap

Fluorine molecule is formed by axial $p-p$ orbital overlap. This results in the formation of sigma bond between $2F$ atoms. The participating atomic orbitals are $2p_z$ orbitals of two $F$ atoms if Z axis is the internuclear axis.