hybridization

hybridization The mixing of atomic orbitals to produce new orbitals of equal energy in a bonded molecule New orbitals have properties of each of the original orbitals The new orbitals all have the same shape and equal orientation around the central atom These orbitals help explain the shapes of molecules

Original shapes of orbitals Orbitals before hybridization

hybrid orbital shapes sp3 created from 1 s orbital and 3 p orbitals to make 4 hybrid orbitals

hybrid orbital shapes sp2 orbitals created from one s and two p orbitals to create three new orbital 1 p orbital left unchanged

hybrid orbital shapes sp orbital created from one s orbital and one p orbital to create two new orbitals Two p orbitals left unchanged

Other hybrid orbitals sp3d – five new hybrid orbitals sp3d2 – six new hybrid orbitals

How to determine hybridization Add up the number of bonds and electron pairs on the central atom Determine the type of hybridization that creates that many new orbitals