Back Molekulêre orbitaal Afrikaans Orbital molecular AN مدار جزيئي Arabic Orbital molecular AST আণবিক কক্ষক Bengali/Bangla Molekulska orbitala BS Orbital molecular Catalan Molekulový orbital Czech Μοριακό τροχιακό Greek Molecular orbital English
In chemistry, a molecular orbital (or MO) explains what happens to electrons when atoms join together in a molecule. A MO is a mathematical function which describes the wave-like behaviour of an electron in a molecule. The functions can tell the probability of finding an electron in any specific region. Chemists use such functions to predict or explain chemical and physical properties.
Chemists usually build mathematical models of molecular orbitals by combining atomic orbitals. Hybrid orbitals from each atom of the molecule, or other molecular orbitals from groups of atoms can also be used. Computers can work on these functions. Molecular orbitals allow chemists to apply quantum mechanics to study molecules. MOs answer questions about how the atoms in molecules stick together. The various rounded shapes in an orbital diagram indicate where electrons would most likely be found in an atom.
