| $\sigma$ bond | $\pi$ bond |
| This type of covalent bond is formed by the head-on (end-to-end) overlapping of atomic orbitals along the internuclear axis. | This type of covalent bond is formed by the lateral (sideways) overlapping of atomic orbitals,where the axes of the orbitals remain parallel to each other and perpendicular to the internuclear axis. |
| The electron cloud is cylindrically symmetrical around the internuclear axis. | The electron cloud is distributed above and below the plane of the internuclear axis. |
| $\sigma$ molecular orbitals are symmetrical around the internuclear axis. | $\pi$ molecular orbitals are not symmetrical around the internuclear axis. |
| $\sigma$ bonds are formed by $s-s$,$s-p$,and $p-p$ (axial) overlapping. | $\pi$ bonds are formed by $p-p$,$p-d$,and $d-d$ (lateral) overlapping. |
| Such a bond is not broken by rotation around the bond axis. | Such a bond breaks upon rotation around the bond axis. |
| $\sigma$ bonds are stronger due to greater extent of overlapping. | $\pi$ bonds are weaker due to less effective lateral overlapping. |
| $A$ single bond between two atoms is always a $\sigma$ bond. | In multiple bonds,the additional bonds are $\pi$ bonds ($1$ in double,$2$ in triple). |
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