Question

As s-character in a hybrid orbital increases, the bond angle:

• A. increases
• B. decreases
• C. does not change
• D. becomes zero

Answer 1

The correct option is A increases

As $s$-character in a hybrid orbital increases, the bond angle increases. Since, the $s$-orbitals overlap from end to end in most of the situations, it leads to an increase in bond angle.
For example,
In $s{p}^3$: $s$-character is $25$%, $p$-character is $75$% and bond angle is ${109}^o{28}^{\prime }$.
In $s{p}^2$: $s$-character is $33.33$%, $p$-character is $77.67$% and bond angle is ${120}^o$.
In $sp$: $s$-character is $50$%, $p$-character is $50$% and bond angle is ${180}^o$.