What are molecular orbitals?

Molecular orbitals are indeed formed by the combination of atomic orbitals from bonding atoms. When two atoms come together to form a molecule, their atomic orbitals overlap, and this interaction leads to the creation of new orbitals that are spread out over the entire molecule rather than being confined to a single atom. These molecular orbitals can be either bonding, which stabilize the molecule by lowering the energy, or antibonding, which destabilize it by increasing the energy.

The concept of molecular orbitals is crucial for understanding the electronic structure of molecules and how they bond with one another. The bonding nature of these orbitals explains how atoms share or distribute electrons, leading to the formation of stable molecules.

This understanding contrasts with the other choices. The description of spaces where electrons reside in an atom pertains to individual atomic orbitals, which are distinct from the combined molecular orbitals. Patterns of chemical bonding refer to how atoms connect in a broader sense rather than the specific nature of the orbitals that form as a result. Lastly, the idea of pathways for electron transfer suggests a different mechanism of bonding, focusing on direct movement rather than the shared nature of electrons in molecular orbitals.