LCAO Approximation to Bonding Molecular Orbital in Hydrogen

R

2

This Demonstration shows the simplest LCAO (linear combination of atomic orbitals) representing the bonding

1

σ

g

molecular orbital in molecular hydrogen. The top graphic shows the electron cloud

2

ψ

plotted along the internuclear axis. The separation between nuclei

R

(in Bohr atomic units) can be varied.