Question

Differences between Atomic Orbital and Molecular Orbital. (4 points minimum)

Answer 1

Orbital is defined as a region where the probability of finding an electron is high. Atoms have their own electrons rotating around the nucleus. When these orbitals are overlapped to form molecules through the bonding, the orbitals are called molecular orbitals. Valence bond theory and molecular orbital theory explains the properties of atomic and molecular orbitals, respectively. Orbitals can hold a maximum of two electrons. The main difference between atomic and molecular orbital is that the electrons in an atomic orbital are influenced by one positive nucleus, while the electrons of a molecular orbital are influenced by the two or more nuclei depending upon the number of atoms in a molecule. 
Atomic orbitals are named s, p, d, f and molecular orbitals are classified as bonding and antibonding. Atomic orbitals s,p,d and f have fixed shapes. However, molecular orbitals can change their shapes depending on the hybridisation they are in.

Answer 2

Explanation:

Difference between atomic orbital and molecular orbital are as follows.

Atomic orbital:

• A region where there occurs a high probability of finding an electron in an atom is known as atomic orbital.

• An electron cloud leads to the formation of atomic orbitals around the atom.

• Single nucleus affects the electron cloud.

• Atomic orbitals are monocentric because they are found around a single nucleus.

Molecular orbital:

• A region where there is highest probability of finding an electron in a molecule is known as molecular orbital.

• When fusion of atomic orbitals that have nearly same energy take place then it tends to the formation of molecular orbitals.

• In molecular orbitals, two or more nuclei affect the electron cloud.

• Since, molecular orbitals are found around different nuclei. Hence, they are polycentric.