1. Steric number of C in the structure is 3.
QUESTION:
What is the hybridization of the valence orbitals of the carbon atom in the structure below? A. sp, B. sp2, C. sp3 D. sp3d
QUESTION:
What is the hybridization of the valence orbitals of the carbon atom in the structure shown here? A. sp, B. sp2, C. sp3 D. sp3d
PAUSE CLICK The steric number of the carbon atom in this structure is 3. There are three regions of high electron density
around the carbon atom.
one...
HIGHLIGHT single bond
two...
HIGHLIGHT double bond
three...
HIGHLIGHT other single bond
Valence bond theory accounts for bonding between two atoms in terms of overlapping atomic orbitals.
A steric number of 3 suggests that there are three regions of high electron density around an atom which are 120 degrees apart.
This is explained by invoking the concept of orbital hybridization of the valence s orbital and two of the valence p orbitals.
HIGHLIGHT s, p, p in “s, p, p, p”
It is assumed that, in this case, once the atom shares electrons with another atom, it no longer has a valence s orbital and three valence p orbitals.
Instead, it now has three hybrid orbitals called sp2,
HIGHLIGHT sp2, sp2, sp2 in “sp2, sp2, sp2 p”
and one p orbital.
CLICK PAUSE END RECORDING
Steric number of C in the structure is 3.
Valence bond theory: If steric number=3, orbital hybridization is sp2.
Replace: s, p, p, p  sp2, sp2, sp2, p

2. Video ID: © 2008, Project VALUE (Video Assessment Library for Undergraduate Education), Department of Physical Sciences Nicholls State University Author: Glenn V. Lo Narrator: Funded by Louisiana Board of Regents Contract No. LA-DL-SELECT-13-07/08