Chemistry and Our Universe: How It All Works Season 1 Episode 13 Molecular Orbital Theory

In season 1 episode 13 of Chemistry and Our Universe: How It All Works, titled "Molecular Orbital Theory," viewers will delve into the fundamental concept of how atoms combine to form molecules. The episode explains how the molecular orbital theory plays an essential role in understanding chemical bonding and the behaviors of molecules.

At the start of the episode, the program's host will introduce the concept of atomic orbitals and how these orbitals can combine to form molecular orbitals. This merger of atomic orbitals leads to the creation of an entirely new structure. Understanding the behavior of molecular orbitals is critical in comprehending how and why chemical reactions occur.

Through stunning visual aids and vivid representation, the episode takes viewers on a journey of understanding the properties of molecular orbitals. The program editor does an excellent job explaining the basic principles of the molecular orbital theory in a simple, easy-to-grasp manner. The host will explain how orbitals can have different energies, shapes, and orientations, and how these differing properties culminate in the creation of a more complex structure.

Viewers will also get to see how molecular orbitals can have different symmetries, and this property has a direct relationship with the observed behavior of molecules during a chemical reaction.

The program's highlight is to show the molecular orbitals created when two hydrogen atoms combine to form hydrogen molecule. The program illustrates how these orbitals result in the molecule's shape and its observed energy properties. The host explains how the overlap of the atomic orbitals leads to the creation of the bonding and anti-bonding orbitals, and the role they play in the observed energies of the molecule.

The episode goes into great detail on the theory behind molecular orbitals, including the depiction of energy diagrams to explain the process. The diagrams are an excellent way to visually represent the difference between bonding and anti-bonding orbitals and how they affect the molecule's structure and behavior.

The host further explains the difference between bonding and anti-bonding orbital, highlighting that the former has a lower energy while the latter has higher energy than the atomic orbitals. The program also illustrates how chemical reactions can increase or decrease the energy levels of the molecular orbitals.

The importance of molecular orbitals in describing chemical reactions is emphasized throughout the episode. The show also highlights how the molecular principle can help explain other concepts, such as the bonding in carbon monoxide and the covalent bond formed in carbon dioxide.

Towards the conclusion, viewers will see examples of other molecules and their observed behavior in chemical reactions. These examples help to reinforce the concepts of the molecular orbital theory that the program has been discussing.

Overall, the molecular orbitals theory is an essential element to understand how atoms combine to form molecules and how these molecules interact during chemical reactions. The episode does an exemplary job of introducing viewers to the theory in a clear and understandable manner making it informative for students and experts alike. The program will appeal to anyone curious about chemistry's fundamental principles and how molecular orbitals play a critical role in understanding the behavior of molecules during chemical reactions.