Question

Define Hybridization.

Answer 1

• Orbital hybridization is the concept of mixing atomic orbitals into new hybrid orbitals (with different energies, shapes, etc., then the component atomic orbitals) suitable for the pairing of electrons to form chemical bonds in valence bond theory.
  
• For example, in the ethane molecule, the bonding picture according to valence orbital theory is very similar to that of methane. Both carbons are $s{p}^3$-hybridized, meaning that both have four bonds arranged with tetrahedral geometry.