What is a valence bond?

The valence bond theory explains chemical bonds as overlaps between half-filled valence atomic orbitals on two different atoms. Negative charge builds up in places where the orbitals are overlapping- which attracts the positively charged nuclei in the molecule and electrostatically glues the molecule together. Each pair of overlapping orbitals provides one valence bond between the atoms.

Author: Fred Senese senese@antoine.frostburg.edu

Copyright © 1997-2005 by Fred Senese
Comments & questions to fsenese@frostburg.edu
Last Revised 07/31/07.URL: http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/bonds/faq/what-is-valence-bond.shtml