What are the differences between molecular and hybrid orbitals?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation

Molecular orbitals

Hybrid orbitals

Definition

Are hypothetical orbitals formed by the overlap of atomic orbitals of different atoms

Are hypothetical orbitals formed from the mixing of atomic orbitals in the same atom

Energies of resulting orbitals

Bonding orbitals are lower in energy than antibonding orbitals

Are all the same energy levels

Importance

Provide information about antibonding orbitals and information about the electronic structure of a molecule

Do not provide information about antibonding orbitals but gives information about the geometry of a molecule

Orbitals

Can be bonding (BMO) or anti-bonding (ABMO) depending on the type of overlap

Hybrid orbitals are usually sp, sp2, sp3, etc., resulting from the mixing of s and p orbitals

Shape

The shape of molecular orbitals is determined by the overlap of atomic orbitals from different atoms

The shape of hybrid orbitals is specific to the type of hybridization

Basis of differentiation	Molecular orbitals	Hybrid orbitals
Definition	Are hypothetical orbitals formed by the overlap of atomic orbitals of different atoms	Are hypothetical orbitals formed from the mixing of atomic orbitals in the same atom
Energies of resulting orbitals	Bonding orbitals are lower in energy than antibonding orbitals	Are all the same energy levels
Importance	Provide information about antibonding orbitals and information about the electronic structure of a molecule	Do not provide information about antibonding orbitals but gives information about the geometry of a molecule
Orbitals	Can be bonding (BMO) or anti-bonding (ABMO) depending on the type of overlap	Hybrid orbitals are usually sp, sp2, sp3, etc., resulting from the mixing of s and p orbitals
Shape	The shape of molecular orbitals is determined by the overlap of atomic orbitals from different atoms	The shape of hybrid orbitals is specific to the type of hybridization