Bonding order is a measure of the number of chemical bonds between a pair of atoms. It indicates the strength of the bond and the stability of the molecule.
Bonding order is determined by counting the number of bonds between the atoms in a molecule. Single bonds have a bonding order of 1, double bonds have a bonding order of 2, and triple bonds have a bonding order of 3.
The arrangement of atoms in a molecule affects the bonding order. In the case of CO, there is a triple bond between the carbon and oxygen atoms, giving it a bonding order of 3. CO3^2- has a double bond between the carbon and one of the oxygen atoms, and a single bond between the other two oxygen atoms, giving it a bonding order of 2. CO2 has two double bonds between the carbon and each oxygen atom, giving it a bonding order of 4.
Generally, as the bonding order increases, the bond length decreases. This is because the electrons in a higher bonding order are held more tightly between atoms, resulting in a shorter bond length.
Bonding order affects the strength and stability of a molecule. Molecules with higher bonding orders tend to be stronger and more stable, while those with lower bonding orders may be more reactive. Bonding order also plays a role in determining the polarity and reactivity of a molecule.