Question

How Do You Determine Hybridization?

Answer 1

Determination of Hybridization-

The way to determine hybridization is through VSEPR theory and determining the number of electron groups around the central atom.

for example-

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{groups}\mathrm{hybridization} \\ 4={\mathrm{sp}}^3 \\ 3={\mathrm{sp}}^2 \\ 2=\mathrm{sp} \end{gathered}$$

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{The}3\mathrm{groups}\mathrm{around}\mathrm{central}\mathrm{atom}\mathrm{give}{\mathrm{sp}}^3\mathrm{hybridization}, \\ \mathrm{the}\mathrm{three}\mathrm{group}\mathrm{give}{\mathrm{sp}}^2\mathrm{hybridization} \\ \mathrm{two}\mathrm{group}\mathrm{yield}\mathrm{sp}-\mathrm{hybridization}. \end{gathered}$$

Unless the electron pair is next to a double or triple bond, the electron pair will be on a hybrid orbital and not a p-orbital.