Answer to Question #95704 in General Chemistry for Jay

Question

Can you force the atoms into new configurations by pushing atoms around? What does this
suggest about the configuration of atoms in real molecules?

Answer 1

Of course, atomic configurations can change, namely, pass into excited states, or become isoelectronic structures of inert gases (in ionic compounds).

In real molecules, there are two scenarios: one theory involves the creation of molecular orbitals. The second is the hybridization of atomic orbitals depending on the composition of the molecule.