I was recently taught about molecular orbital theory and bond order:
$$\text{Bond order} = \frac{\text{Number of bonding electrons} - \text{Number of antibonding electrons}}{2}$$
I was wondering, what is the purpose of dividing by 2?
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
0
Add a comment
|
1 Answer
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
Because there are two electrons in a covalent bond! Say all the electrons you have is two bonding electrons... Would you call that a bond order of two? Or is it just a good old single bond?
answered Dec 16, 2016 at 3:38