Question

Consider the representation of the p and d atomic orbitals in Fig and . What do the + and – signs indicate?

Short answer

The positive and negative signs indicate the positive and negative phases of an orbital in a wave function.

Step-by-step solution

(Understanding the meaning of a wave function)

A wave function is a function that attempts to describe the total energy of an electron. This includes all of the possible energy states of the electron and the amount of time that the electron stays in each state.

(Understanding the positive and negative phases of the orbital in terms of wave function)

The orbital is a wave function. A wave has positive values sometimes and negative values sometimes. So the wave has alternate positive and negative phases. These phases are analogous to the positive and negative signs associated with p & d orbitals.

When two positive phases combine a bonding orbital is formed. The combination of a positive and negative phase creates an anti-bonding orbital