Covalent structures and bonding
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For a sigma bond to be formed do 2s orbitals have to overlap linearly? Or do they not have to be s- orbitals?
Corrie writes ...
Yes, for a sigma bond to be formed two orbitals have to overlap 'linearly', that is along the axis joining the two atoms. Both s- and p-orbitals can overlap in this way, as can hybrid orbitals like sp3 etc (if you have come across them).
So a sigma bond could be formed by s-s overlap, s-p overlap, or p-p overlap.
On th other hand, p-orbitals can also overlap 'sidewaeys', to form a pi-bond, as the second part of a double bond, for instance.
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updated: 17 April 2007
