ΓΌ Valence
Bond Theory (VBT): This theory was introduced by Heitler and London
and later developed by Linus
Pauling in order to explain the shape of molecules theoretically. This
theory can be described in following points.
(i)
A covalent bond is formed when
the orbital of one atom is situated in such a way that it overlaps with the
orbital of another atom, each of them containing one unpaired electron.
(ii)
The atomic orbitals overlap and the overlapped region is occupied by both the
electrons. These two electrons
must have opposite spin.
(iii)
As a result of this overlapping, there is maximum electron density between the two atoms. A large
part of the binding force of covalent bond results from the attraction of these
electrons by the nuclei of both the atoms.
(iv) Atoms
maintain their individuality. When
the bond is formed, only valence electrons from each bonded atom are involved
and the inner atomic orbitals of each atom remain undisturbed.
Consider 2 hydrogen atoms A and B with nucleus NA and NB and
electrons eA and eB respectively. When the two atoms
are at a large distance from each other, there is no further interaction
between them. Due to this their potential energy is zero. When the two atoms start approaching
each other, new attractive and repulsive forces begin to operate.
The attractive forces arise between the nucleus of one atom and
electron of another atom i.e., NA– eB and NB–
eA. Similarly, repulsive forces arise between electrons of
two atoms i.e., eA – eB, and the nuclei of two atoms NA
– NB. Attractive
forces bring the two atoms close to each other whereas repulsive forces push
them away.
The magnitude
of new attractive force is more than the new repulsive forces. So, the two
atoms approach each other and potential energy decreases.
At a particular stage, the net attractive force balances the net repulsive
forces and the energy becomes minimum. At this stage, the hydrogen atoms are said to be bonded
together to form a stable molecule.
Let us discuss another example of formation of He2 molecule in which
number of attractive forces are less in comparison to number of repulsive
interaction so the He2 molecule does not exists.
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