Question

Which type of overlapping is shown by $\text{p}$ (${\text{p}}_x$, ${\text{p}}_y$ and ${\text{p}}_z$)-orbitals?

• A. Two end to end and one sidewise overlap
• B. Two sidewise and one end to end overlap
• C. Three sidewise overlaps
• D. Three end to end overlaps

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Two sidewise and one end to end overlap

The mutual overlapping between half-filled $P$ orbitals of two atoms is called $P-P$ overlap and the covalent bond form is known as $P-P$ bond, if the overlapping take place along the internuclear axis the bond is called $\sigma$ bond and if the overlapping take place laterally then the bond is called as $\Pi$ bond,

$P_z$ orbital does end to end overlap as $P_z$ orbitals are along the axis while $P_x$ and $P_y$ orbital does sideways overlapping as they are not along the axis, as shown in the image.

So the correct option is [B].