Final answer:
H₂+ is actually more stable with a stronger and shorter H-H bond compared to H₂.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that H₂+ is less stable and has one less electron in bonding orbitals is false.
H₂+ is actually predicted to be more stable than an isolated hydrogen atom and a proton, as supported by experimental data. In the H₂+ ion, the single electron occupies the bonding molecular orbital, which has a lower energy than the 1s atomic orbital of either separated hydrogen atoms. This results in a stronger and shorter H-H bond in H₂+ compared to H₂.