pi bond

[Kyle Thorin]

How can I distinguish a pi bond vs a sigma bond when they both require two orbitals and electrons to form?

[Emily Chirila 2E]

Pi bonds are only formed when two atoms are bound by more than 1 covalent bond (in a double or triple bond). Visually, you can think about the sigma bond first forming by 2 orbitals bonding end-to-end, then the pi bonds form after when the orbitals bond side-to-side

[Jamie Lee 1F]

Also, sigma bonds are always found in bonding, they are the first bonds to form, so any single bond will only be a sigma bond. Any bond added after that (double or triple bond) will be a pi bond.