Hybridization: definition in chemistry
Hybridization: The mixing of atomic orbitals on one atom to form new, equivalent hybrid orbitals used in bonding, such as the sp³ orbitals of carbon in methane.
Hybridization explains shapes that plain s and p orbitals cannot: carbon has one 2s and three 2p orbitals, yet methane has four identical C–H bonds pointing to the corners of a tetrahedron. Each type matches a geometry: sp is linear (180°), sp² is trigonal planar (120°) and sp³ is tetrahedral (109.5°). It is a model, and it works best for second-period elements such as carbon, nitrogen and oxygen.
Examples
- sp³ — carbon in methane (CH₄), tetrahedral
- sp² — each carbon in ethene (C₂H₄), trigonal planar
- sp — carbon in ethyne (C₂H₂) and in CO₂, linear
- sp³ — oxygen in water, giving a bent shape of about 104.5°
On the periodic table
Hybridization is used mainly for carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and other p-block nonmetals, which form covalent bonds with definite directions and shapes.