Which of the following is true regarding the overlap of the bonding atomic orbitals in F₂, ClF, BrF, IF?

• A. The order for the extent of orbital overlap is I-F < Br-F < Cl-F < F-F because the extent of orbital overlap is inversely proportional to the distance between atoms
• B. The order for the extent of orbital overlap is Cl-F < F-F < Br-F < I-F because the extent of orbital overlap is inversely proportional to the distance between atoms
• C. The order for the extent of orbital overlap is F-F < Cl-F < I-F < Br-F because the extent of orbital overlap is directly proportional to the distance between atoms
• D. The order for the extent of orbital overlap is F-F < Cl-F < Br-F < I-F because the extent of orbital overlap is directly proportional to the distance between atoms

Answer: (A)