Free interactive chemistry · SIM-BOND-002

Covalent orbital overlap

Two hydrogen atoms approach; their 1s orbitals overlap and a bond forms at the energy minimum.

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How to use this simulation

Open the “Bond formation (H₂)” view in the Molecule Lab.
Move the “Internuclear distance r” slider.
Watch the yellow overlap region and the point moving on the energy curve.

What to notice

The energy is lowest at 74 pm — that is the bond length.
Squeeze closer and the nuclei repel, so the energy rises steeply.

Try this

Find the distance where the energy is lowest. How deep is the well in kJ/mol?

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