Differentiate between Valence bond theory molecular bond theory

Answer 1

Valence bond theory and molecular orbital theory are two different ways of explaining the bonding in molecules.

Valence bond theory states that a chemical bond is formed when two atoms overlap their valence orbitals and share electrons. This theory focuses on the localized interaction between atoms, where electrons are shared between atoms in a specific region of space. The bond strength and geometry of a molecule are determined by the overlap of atomic orbitals.

Molecular orbital theory, on the other hand, describes bonding in terms of the overall molecular orbital that results from the combination of atomic orbitals. In this theory, electrons are considered to be delocalized and spread out over the entire molecule. This theory predicts the electronic structure and properties of larger molecules and can explain phenomena such as delocalized bonding, bonding in molecules with resonance structures, and the magnetic properties of molecules.

In summary, valence bond theory focuses on the interaction between localized atomic orbitals, while molecular orbital theory describes bonding in terms of the overall molecular orbital resulting from the combination of atomic orbitals.