Bonding orbitals are regions in an atom where electrons are likely to be found, and they form when two atomic orbitals combine. This combination occurs when atoms come together to create a molecule, allowing them to share electrons. The result is a lower energy state, which makes the molecule more stable. When two atomic orbitals overlap, they create a bonding orbital that holds the shared electrons between the nuclei of the atoms. This overlap can occur in different ways, leading to different types of bonds, such as sigma bonds and pi bonds. Understanding bonding orbitals is essential for grasping how molecules are formed and behave.