Draw a picture that shows all three 2p orbitals on one atom and all three 2p orbitals on another atom. (b) How many p bonds can the two sets of 2p orbitals make with each other?

Key Concepts

Atomic Orbitals

Atomic orbitals are regions in an atom where there is a high probability of finding electrons. The 2p orbitals are a set of three degenerate orbitals (2px, 2py, 2pz) that can hold a maximum of six electrons. Each orbital has a distinct orientation in space, which is crucial for understanding how atoms bond with each other.

p Bonds

p bonds, or pi bonds, are a type of covalent bond formed when two atomic orbitals overlap laterally. In the case of p orbitals, this occurs when the lobes of the orbitals align side-by-side. Each pair of p orbitals from different atoms can form one p bond, which is essential for the formation of double and triple bonds in molecules.

Orbital Overlap

Orbital overlap is a fundamental concept in chemical bonding that describes how atomic orbitals from different atoms interact to form bonds. The extent of overlap between orbitals determines the strength and type of bond formed. In the context of the question, the overlap of the 2p orbitals from two atoms will dictate how many p bonds can be formed between them.