First statement:
In the molecular orbital theory, the valency electrons are considered to be associated with all the nuclei in the molecule. - Concise Inorganic Chemistry by J.D.Lee.
Second statement:
In molecular orbital theory, electrons are treated as spreading throughout the entire molecule: every electron contributes to the strength of every bond. - Elements of Physical Chemistry by Peter Atkins.
Two different sources are actually saying the same thing in regard to MO theory: electron density is spread over the entire molecule, okay that is quite right & agreeable.
But the way the fact is presented as if it were the sole property of MO theory. Doesn't the electron density span over the entire molecule in VB theory also?
Check this pic taken from Peter Atkin's above mentioned book:
This is the electron density in $\ce H_2$ as predicted by VB theory; notice how the resultant wavefunction after bonding is spread over the entire molecule & this implies the electron density is spread over the entire molecule. So, even in VB theory, the electron density is spread over the nuclei of the molecule. So, why those special writings above?
Why is it that the spreading of electron density over the nuclei of the molecules specially in MO theory? Is not this exhibited even in VB theory also? Or am I missing something?
Can anyone please help me whether the spreading of the electron density is the sole property of Mo theory as is put up by the two authors? Is not it exhibited in VB theory also?