In the molecular orbital model, how are molecular orbitals created?

Molecular orbitals are formed through the interaction of atomic orbitals from participating atoms. When atoms come together to form a molecule, their atomic orbitals overlap and combine to create new orbitals that belong to the molecule as a whole. This process leads to the formation of bonding and antibonding molecular orbitals.

Bonding molecular orbitals result from the constructive interference of the atomic orbitals, which stabilizes the molecule. Antibonding molecular orbitals, on the other hand, arise from destructive interference and can destabilize the molecule if occupied by electrons.

This model emphasizes how the properties of the resulting molecular orbitals govern the behavior of the molecule, rather than focusing solely on the individual atomic orbitals themselves. It highlights the cooperative nature of the electrons in a molecule and explains many phenomena related to chemical bonding, such as bond order and the magnetic properties of substances.