Question

17. In one or two well-developed paragraphs and in your own words, explain what "hybridization" means. As part of your explanation, describe the hybridization within NH3 and CH2O.

Answer 1

hybridisation (or hybridization) is the concept of mixing atomic orbitals into new hybrid orbitals (with different energies, shapes, etc., than the component atomic orbitals) suitable for the pairing of electrons to form chemical bonds in valence bond theory.Hybrid orbitals are very useful in the explanation of molecular geometry and atomic bonding properties.

all hybrid orbitals of a type are identical to each other

Its a theoretical concept which gives insight into the bonding aspects of different molecules.

It helps in understanding of the equality of bond lenghts and bond energy.

Hybridisation of a central atom = sum of power of s,p,d etc orbitals in hybrid orbitals

steric number = no of sigma bonds + no of lone pairs

NH₃ = sp³, central atom N , has one lone pair and there are 3 sigma bonds

HCHO = sp², central atom C, two sigma bonds and no lone pairs