Question

Which is a correct statement?
As the s-character of a hybrid orbital decreases,
(I) The bond angle decreases.
(II) The bond strength increases.
(III) The bond length increases.
(IV) The size of orbitals increases.

• A. (I), (III) and (IV)
• B. (II), (III) and (IV)
• C. (I) and (II)
• D. All are correct

Answer 1

The correct option is A (I), (III) and (IV)

As the s-character of a hybrid orbital decreases,

(I) The bond angle decreases since the bond angles for $sp$, $s{p}^2$ and $s{p}^3$ are ${180}^o,{120}^o$ and ${109}^o$ respectively

(II) the bond strength decreases since a triple bond (sp hybridisation) is stronger than a double bond $s{p}^2$ which in turn is stronger than a single bond $s{p}^3$ hybridisation.

(III) the bond length increases since a triple bond is shorter than a double bond which is in turn shorter than a single bond.
$s{p}^3$ > $s{p}^2$ > $sp$

(IV) The size of orbital increases since s-orbital is smaller than p- orbital. Therefore, sp orbitals are the smallest, then $s{p}^2$ and $s{p}^3$ orbitals.