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| | February 23, 1995 |
 | | The key feature of this diagram is that we started with two 2s atomic orbitals each with one electron and we end up with two molecular orbitals, one of which has a pair of electrons in a lower energy, more stable configuration. |
 | | Clearly, you would have to know or accept the mathematics that we have now mixed two atomic orbitals, equal in energy, and producted two molecular orbitals, unequal in energy but one of which was more stable than the original atomic orbital. |
 | | molecular orbital places the pair of electrons directly between the two nuclei, precisely the situation that we would expect if bonding were the outcome. |
| www.uky.edu /Classes/BCH/401/Supplements/molecularorbitals.htm (965 words) |
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