What does sp hybridisation describe?

What does sp hybridisation describe?

• A. Involves mixing of one s and one p orbital to form two sp hybrid orbitals
• B. Involves mixing of two s orbitals
• C. Involves mixing of three p orbitals
• D. Involves mixing of four d orbitals

Answer: (A)

sp hybridisation describes mixing of one s orbital with one p orbital to form two equivalent sp hybrid orbitals. This happens when an atom has two electron domains, giving a linear arrangement with bond angles about 180 degrees. Each sp hybrid has 50% s and 50% p character and directs the bonding in opposite directions. The remaining two p orbitals stay unhybridized and can participate in pi bonding, helping to form double or triple bonds as seen in molecules like acetylene or carbon dioxide. The idea behind the other options is that other hybrid schemes involve different numbers of s and p orbitals (sp2 uses one s and two p for three orbitals in a planar arrangement; sp3 uses one s and three p for four orbitals in a tetrahedral arrangement), while four d orbitals would relate to more complex hybrids such as sp3d or sp3d2 used in expanded octets.

sp hybridisation describes mixing of one s orbital with one p orbital to form two equivalent sp hybrid orbitals. This happens when an atom has two electron domains, giving a linear arrangement with bond angles about 180 degrees. Each sp hybrid has 50% s and 50% p character and directs the bonding in opposite directions. The remaining two p orbitals stay unhybridized and can participate in pi bonding, helping to form double or triple bonds as seen in molecules like acetylene or carbon dioxide. The idea behind the other options is that other hybrid schemes involve different numbers of s and p orbitals (sp2 uses one s and two p for three orbitals in a planar arrangement; sp3 uses one s and three p for four orbitals in a tetrahedral arrangement), while four d orbitals would relate to more complex hybrids such as sp3d or sp3d2 used in expanded octets.