Which feature is characteristic of LCAO in molecular orbital theory?

In molecular orbital (MO) theory, Linear Combination of Atomic Orbitals (LCAO) is a fundamental concept that describes how atomic orbitals combine to form molecular orbitals. The option that reflects a key characteristic of LCAO is the notion that linear combinations lead to cumulative approximations.

When atomic orbitals combine, they do so in a way that can be understood through mathematical combinations of the wavefunctions associated with those atomic orbitals. This process allows for the construction of molecular orbitals that can be either bonding or antibonding depending on the phase relationship of the combined wavefunctions. By summing or subtracting these wavefunctions, one can gradually approximate the behavior of electrons in a molecule.

This cumulative approximation is critical for understanding the energies and shapes of the resulting molecular orbitals, as well as for predicting chemical bonding and properties. While bonding and antibonding orbitals are indeed formed, and symmetry is a consideration, the hallmark of the LCAO approach is its ability to systematically build more complex molecular orbital descriptions from simpler atomic orbital contributions.

The creation of only bonding orbitals or preservation of atomic orbital symmetry do not comprehensively encompass the broader concept of LCAO, particularly since both bonding and antibonding orbitals can be