21 Chemistry -- Chemical Bonding and Shapes of Molecules

What is hybridization? Explain its types.

What is hybridization? Explain its types.

Hybridization is defined as the process of formation of degenerate hybrid orbitals by the inter-mixing of atomic orbitals of comparable energy levels. This concept was introduced to strengthen the Valence Bond Theory.

Following are the types of hybridization:

sp hybridization:

In this hybridization, one s-orbital and one p-orbital combine together to form two sp hybrid orbitals. Each hybrid orbital has 50% s-character and 50% p-character.

sp2 hybridization:

In this hybridization, one s-orbital and two p-orbitals combine together to form three sp2-hybrid obitals. Each hybrid orbital has 33.33% s-character and 66.67% p-character.

sp3 hybridization:

In this hybridization, one s-orbital and three p-orbitals combine together to form four sp3-hybrid orbitals. Each hybrid orbital has 25% s-character and 75% p-character.

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