Bonding orbital

Two molecular orbitals (the HOMO and LUMO) of the hydrogen molecule H2. (a) is a bonding orbital because electrons can be between the atoms; (b) is an antibonding orbital.

In chemistry, a bonding orbital is a type of molecular orbital that makes a chemical bond stronger. Electrons in a bonding orbital are more likely to be found between the atomic nuclei. Having the negative electrical charge of the electrons between the nuclei pulls them closer together.

The opposite of a bonding orbital is an antibonding orbital.

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