Features of Hybridization
- Hybridization occurs between atomic orbitals with equal energies.
- The number of hybrid orbitals formed equals the number of atomic orbitals that mix.
- It is not required for all half-filled orbitals to participate in hybridization. Even orbitals that are completely filled but have slightly varying energy can participate.
- Hybridization occurs only during bond formation, not in a single gaseous atom.
- If the hybridization of the molecule is known, the molecule’s shape can be predicted.
- The larger lobe of the hybrid orbital is always positive, while the smaller lobe on the opposite side is always negative.
Hybridization
The concept of hybridization is defined as the process of combining two atomic orbitals to create a new type of hybridized orbitals. This intermixing typically results in the formation of hybrid orbitals with completely different energies, shapes, and so on. Hybridization is primarily carried out by atomic orbitals of the same energy level. However, both fully filled and half-filled orbitals can participate in this process if their energies are equal. The concept of hybridization is an extension of valence bond theory that helps us understand bond formation, bond energies, and bond lengths.
Contact Us