Chemistry / Unit 6 Chem 1095 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Orbital Hybridization, Defined
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The idea
Orbital hybridization mixes an atom's s and p orbitals into a new set of equivalent hybrid orbitals, oriented to match its VSEPR geometry.
In practice
Mixing one 2s orbital and three 2p orbitals on carbon produces four identical hybrid orbitals, replacing the original four.
Where people slip
Only orbitals entering the mix get replaced; sp and sp² hybridization leaves some p orbitals unhybridized, unlike sp3.
Your place on the trail
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