Question

What is meant by hybridization?

Answer 1

Hybridization

1. It simply means mixing two atomic orbitals to form a degenerated new hybrid orbital having equivalent energies with different shapes, and energies to that of the respective atomic orbital.
2. This intermixing takes place on the basis of quantum mechanics.
3. The new orbital contains the same total electron number as the old electrons. The idea of hybridization was developed because it was thought that the $\mathrm{C}-\mathrm{H}$ bonds in molecules such as methane are similar.
4. On the basis of intermixing of atomic orbitals, it is classified into 5 types.
5. $\mathrm{sp},{\mathrm{sp}}^2,{\mathrm{sp}}^3,{\mathrm{sp}}^3\mathrm{d},{\mathrm{sp}}^3{\mathrm{d}}^2$.

Types of hybridization

1. $\mathrm{sp}$ - intermixing of one s and one p orbital.
2. ${\mathrm{sp}}^2$-intermixing of one s and two p orbital.
3. ${\mathrm{sp}}^3$ - intermixing of one s and three p orbital.
4. ${\mathrm{sp}}^3\mathrm{d}$ - intermixing of one s, three p, and one d orbital.
5. ${\mathrm{sp}}^3{\mathrm{d}}^2$ - intermixing of one s, three p, and two d orbitals.