Linear combination of atomic orbitals molecular orbital method

The linear combination of atomic orbitals molecular orbital method is a way of using math to figure out how molecules work. Molecules are made up of two or more atoms stuck together. To figure out how the atoms interact with each other, scientists look at something called orbitals.

Orbitals are a mathematical way to describe where electrons sit around the atoms. The electrons are the tiny parts that go around the bigger part of the atom. Think of them like planets going around the sun.

To figure out how the atoms interact with each other to make a molecule, scientists can use this method to make new orbitals that accurately describe the total behavior of the molecule.

In this method, scientists start by writing out an equation to show how orbitals from different atoms mix together. They call this a 'linear combination' (which means when two or more things combine in a line). This equation usually involves multiplying the orbitals from the different atoms and adding them together.

The result is a kind of mathematical picture that shows how the atoms interact with each other. This picture shows us where the electrons are located, which tells us about the molecule’s shape, energy, and other properties.