Question

Strongest bond is formed when atomic orbitals undergo:
A. Maximum overlapping
B. Minimum overlapping
C. No overlapping
D. None of these

Answer 1

Hint: Covalent bonds are formed due to the overlapping of atomic orbitals. Overlapping is the interaction of orbitals of adjacent atoms in the same regions of space. This combination leads to the formation of a hybridised orbital.

Complete Step by Step Answer:
The interaction between the atomic orbitals is defined as the coinciding of the atomic orbitals for which the pairing of electrons transpires.

We know that covalent bonds are formed by the sharing of electrons. For the commencement of bond formation, when the two atoms become closer to each other, they combine to constitute a hybridised orbital and this new orbital has the bonding pair of electrons. This combination of orbitals leads to a decrease in energy and as a result, it has lower energy than the individual orbitals involved.

The magnitude of overlap determines the strength of the so-formed covalent bond. If the overlapping between the orbitals is adequate, then the stability of the covalent bond is higher. This is because when two atomic orbitals overlap a certain amount of energy is lost. Loss of energy makes the hybridised orbital more stable. This overlap is characterised by the concerned atoms, their atomic size, and their valence electrons.

Here we have to find out that the strongest bond is formed when atomic orbitals undergo which type of overlapping. The strongest bond is formed when atomic orbitals undergo maximum overlapping.
So, option A is correct.

Note: It must be noted that sigma bonds are the strongest kind of covalent chemical bond. They are constructed by the head-on overlap between atomic orbitals. Atomic orbitals overlap along the internuclear axis.