Question

What is meant by hybridisation of atomic orbitals? Describe the shapes of sp, sp², sp³ hybrid orbitals.

Answer 1

Hybridization is defined as an intermixing of a set of atomic orbitals of slightly different energies, thereby forming a new set of orbitals having equivalent energies and shapes.

For example, one 2s-orbital hybridizes with two 2p-orbitals of carbon to form three new sp² hybrid orbitals.

These hybrid orbitals have minimum repulsion between their electron pairs and thus, are more stable. Hybridization helps indicate the geometry of the molecule.

Shape of sp hybrid orbitals: sp hybrid orbitals have a linear shape. They are formed by the intermixing of s and p orbitals as:

Shape of sp² hybrid orbitals:

sp² hybrid orbitals are formed as a result of the intermixing of one s-orbital and two 2p-orbitals. The hybrid orbitals are oriented in a trigonal planar arrangement as:

Shape of sp³ hybrid orbitals:

Four sp³ hybrid orbitals are formed by intermixing one s-orbital with three p-orbitals. The four sp³ hybrid orbitals are arranged in the form of a tetrahedron as: