Which is stronger, a sigma bond, or a pi bond? Why?
Which is stronger, a sigma bond, or a pi bond? Why?
Sigma bonds are significantly stronger than pi bonds. This is because sigma bonds allow for electron density to be concentrated to a much larger degree between the two nuclei.
The lowest energy state for electrons—being electrostatically attracted to both nuclei simultaneously, is between those two nuclei and as close to each core as possible.
In a pi bond the p orbitals overlap above and below the atom, localizing the electrons above and below the plane of the bond—a higher energy state compared to the head-on overlap of a sigma bond.
You can also conceptualize that pi bonds are weaker simply because we know those electrons are in a higher-energy state. It is universally true that when a bond is higher in energy it will require less energy to break it.
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