Question

a. What are hybrid orbitals? b. What determines the number of hybrid orbitals produced by the hybridization of an atom?

Short answer

Hybrid orbitals result from the mixing of atomic orbitals to form new orbitals for stable bonds. The number of hybrid orbitals equals the number of original atomic orbitals mixed.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of Hybrid Orbitals

Hybrid orbitals are orbitals that result from the mixing of different types of atomic orbitals on the same atom. This process is called hybridization. The resulting orbitals have different shapes and energies compared to the original atomic orbitals, allowing atoms to form more stable and stronger bonds in molecules.

Determine the Number of Hybrid Orbitals

The number of hybrid orbitals produced is determined by the number of atomic orbitals that are mixed during the hybridization process. The total number of hybrid orbitals formed is equal to the number of atomic orbitals that are combined. For example, in sp³ hybridization, one s orbital and three p orbitals mix to form four sp³ hybrid orbitals.

Key concepts

Hybridization

Hybridization is a concept that describes the mixing of different types of atomic orbitals on the same atom to form new orbitals. These new orbitals are called hybrid orbitals. They have different shapes and energies than the original atomic orbitals. This process allows atoms to bond in a more stable and stable manner. For instance, carbon undergoes sp³ hybridization to form four equivalent hybrid orbitals, which it uses to create bonds in methane (CH₄). This transformation helps in explaining the shapes and bond angles observed in molecules.

Atomic Orbitals

Atomic orbitals are regions around an atom's nucleus where electrons are likely to be found. These orbitals come in different shapes and sizes, designated as s, p, d, and f orbitals. Each atomic orbital can hold a specific number of electrons. For example:

• s orbitals can hold two electrons
• p orbitals can hold six electrons
• d orbitals can hold ten electrons
• f orbitals can hold fourteen electrons

Atomic orbitals form the basis of hybrid orbitals when they mix during the process of hybridization. The combination of these orbitals determines the type and number of hybrid orbitals formed. This mixing allows the atom to form the most stable possible configurational bonding with other atoms in a molecule.

Molecular Bonds

Molecular bonds are the forces that hold atoms together in a molecule. These bonds are created by the sharing or transfer of electrons between atoms, leading to the formation of a stable compound. There are different types of molecular bonds, such as:

• Covalent bonds, where electrons are shared equally or unequally between atoms
• Ionic bonds, where electrons are transferred from one atom to another
• Metallic bonds, found in metals, where electrons move freely across the atoms

Hybrid orbitals play a crucial role in the formation of covalent bonds. They allow for the formation of more robust and directional bonds, resulting in specific molecular shapes and bond angles. Understanding hybridization and the role of atomic orbitals helps explain how molecules achieve their final stable structures.