A molecule of fluorine is formed by :

Options

A. the axial p-p orbital overlap
B. the sidewise p-p orbital overlap
C. the axial s-s orbital overlap.
D. the axial s-p orbital overlap.

Explanation

To determine how a molecule of fluorine (F₂) is formed, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Atomic Structure of Fluorine
Fluorine (F) has an atomic number of 9, which means it has 9 electrons. The electron configuration of fluorine is:
- 1s² 2s² 2p⁵

In the outermost shell (the second shell), fluorine has:
- 2 electrons in the 2s orbital
- 5 electrons in the 2p orbitals

### Step 2: Identify the Need for Bonding
Fluorine atoms need one more electron to achieve a stable octet configuration. Therefore, two fluorine atoms will share one pair of electrons to form a bond.

### Step 3: Visualize the Bond Formation
When two fluorine atoms come close to each other, their unpaired electrons in the 2p orbitals can overlap. Each fluorine atom has one unpaired electron in its 2p orbital (specifically in the 2p_z orbital).

### Step 4: Describe the Overlapping of Orbitals
The overlapping of the p orbitals occurs along the inter-nuclear axis (let's denote this as the Z-axis). The p_z orbital of one fluorine atom overlaps with the p_z orbital of the other fluorine atom.

### Step 5: Define the Type of Bond Formed
The overlap of these p orbitals leads to the formation of a sigma (σ) bond. This bond is characterized by axial overlapping, which is a type of covalent bond.

### Step 6: Conclusion
Thus, a molecule of fluorine (F₂) is formed by the axial overlapping of the p orbitals of two fluorine atoms, resulting in a sigma bond.

### Final Answer
A molecule of fluorine (F₂) is formed by the axial overlapping of p orbitals from two fluorine atoms, resulting in a sigma bond.

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