How does valence bond theory account for bonding in a hydrogen molecule?
Valence bond theory describes bonding as a consequence of the overlap of two separate atomic orbitals on different atoms that creates a region with one pair of electrons shared between the two atoms. When the orbitals overlap along an axis containing the nuclei, they form a σ bond.
Who applied the valence bond theory to the hydrogen molecule?
The first successful explanation of chemical bonding using quantum mechanics was provided by the simple computation of Heitler and London on the hydrogen molecule in 1927, only one year after the Schrödinger equation was proposed.

What are the 8 valence bond theories?
What is the valence bond theory? It is a theory which describes chemical bonding. VBT states that the overlap of incompletely filled atomic orbitals leads to the formation of a chemical bond between two atoms. The unpaired electrons are shared and a hybrid orbital is formed.
Do atoms share valence electrons in a hydrogen bond?
Let’s consider the covalent bond in the hydrogen molecule. A hydrogen molecule forms from two hydrogen atoms, each with one electron in a 1 s orbital. The two hydrogen atoms are attracted to the same pair of electrons in the covalent bond….Covalent Bonds.

Atom | Valence |
---|---|
Hydrogen | 1 |
Fluorine | 1 |
Bromine | 1 |
Chlorine | 1 |
What is the octet rule explain how h2 molecule is formed?
The elecronic confguration of hydrogen is 1s1. Thus, it contains one unpaired electron in 1s orbital. Two H atoms, each having one unpaired electron, combine and share their electron to form a covalent bond in which two electrons are paired.
Why hydrogen molecule is not formed by transfer of electrons?
Both atoms of hydrogen in hydrogen molecule are short of 1 electron in valence shell and to have stable electronic configuration of nearest noble gas they share 1 electron each in valence shell and no transfer of electron takes place in that case H-atom will cease to exist.
What are the rules of valence bond theory?
Valence Bond theory describes covalent bond formation as well as the electronic structure of molecules. The theory assumes that electrons occupy atomic orbitals of individual atoms within a molecule, and that the electrons of one atom are attracted to the nucleus of another atom.
What are basic postulates of VBT?
3 The postulates of valence bond theory are: A covalent bond is formed only when half-filled orbitals of two atoms overlap each other. Each overlapping atomic orbital should contain an unpaired electron with an opposite spin. The overlapping atomic orbitals must have nearly the same i.e. comparable energies.
What is the basic principle of VBT?
Does the hydrogen molecule obey the octet rule?
Hydrogen, the only element in the first row besides Helium, fulfills the “octet rule” by sharing two electrons only.
How do hydrogen atoms make a covalent bond?
When two hydrogen atoms come close enough to each other, their electrons are attracted to the proton of the other atom. Because there is both a strong enough attraction betweeen atoms and room for electrons in the outer energy level of both atoms, the atoms share electrons. This forms a covalent bond.
What is the formation of h2?
Hydrogen molecule (H2) contains one unpaired electron in 1s orbital. Having one unpaired electron, the hydrogen atom combines and shares its electron to form a covalent bond in which two electrons are paired.
Why does hydrogen only need 2 valence electrons?
7. Hydrogen atoms follow the duet rule (not the octet rule). This is because it has only one shell and this shell can only hold 2 electrons.
What are the postulates of VBT?
What is positive and negative overlapping according to VBT theory?
When two atoms come in contact with each other to form a bond, their overlap can be positive, negative or even zero depending upon the phase and sign of the two interacting orbital.
Which of the following is limitations of VBT?
Limitations of Valence Bond Theory They are: It fails to explain the tetravalency of carbon. This theory does not discuss the electrons’ energies. The assumptions are about the electrons being localized to specific locations.
What are the drawbacks of VBT explain in detail with example?
Valence bond theory failed to explain the tetra valency exhibited by carbon. No insight offered on the energies of the electrons. The theory assumes that electrons are localized in specific areas. It does not give a quantitative interpretation of the thermodynamic or kinetic stabilities of coordination compounds.
Why is hydrogen an exception to the octet rule?
octet rule: Atoms lose, gain, or share electrons in order to have a full valence shell of eight electrons. Hydrogen is an exception because it can hold a maximum of two electrons in its valence level.
Why do H and he not obey the octet rule?
H and He are exceptions to the Octet Rule because for them, a full shell is only 2 electrons (the 1s shell). Li and Be are metals, and so they are likely to lose electrons and become cations (Li+, Be2+).
What happens when 2 hydrogen atoms bond?
Two hydrogen atoms then bond to form hydrogen gas (H2) and 2 oxygen atoms bond to form oxygen gas (O2). Each water molecule has all the atoms needed to make 1 molecule of hydrogen gas.
What type of bond is joining the hydrogen atoms?
The bond joining two hydrogen atoms in a hydrogen gas molecule is a classic covalent bond. The bond is easy to analyze because the hydrogen atoms only have one proton and one electron each. The electrons are in the hydrogen atom’s single electron shell, which has room for two electrons.
What is valence bond theory in chemistry?
Key Concepts and Summary. Valence bond theory describes bonding as a consequence of the overlap of two separate atomic orbitals on different atoms that creates a region with one pair of electrons shared between the two atoms. When the orbitals overlap along an axis containing the nuclei, they form a σ bond.
What is the most recent text on valence bond theory?
The most recent text is by Shaik and Hiberty. An important aspect of the valence bond theory is the condition of maximum overlap, which leads to the formation of the strongest possible bonds. This theory is used to explain the covalent bond formation in many molecules.
What are the postulates of valence bond theory?
VALENCE BOND THEORY (VBT) & HYBRIDIZATION. The valence bond theory was proposed by Heitler and London to explain the formation of covalent bond quantitatively using quantum mechanics. Later on, Linus Pauling improved this theory by introducing the concept of hybridization. The main postulates of this theory are as follows:
What are theories of covalent bonding?
Advanced Theories of Covalent Bonding Describe the formation of covalent bonds in terms of atomic orbital overlap As we know, a scientific theory is a strongly supported explanation for observed natural laws or large bodies of experimental data. For a theory to be accepted, it must explain experimental data and be able to predict behavior.