Question

Describe the shapes of sp, sp²,sp³ hybrid orbitals.

Answer 1

Shape of sp hybrid orbitals: sp hybrid orbitals have a linear shape. They are formed by the intermixing of s and p orbitals as

Shape of sp² hybrid orbitals:

sp² hybrid orbitals are formed as a result of the intermixing of one s-orbital and two 2p-orbitals. The hybrid orbitals are oriented in a trigonal planar arrangement as:

Shape of sp³ hybrid orbitals:

Four sp³ hybrid orbitals are formed by intermixing one s-orbital with three p-orbitals. The four sp³ hybrid orbitals are arranged in the form of a tetrahedron as:

Answer 2

Shapes of Orbitals:

• sp hybridisation: When one s-and one p-orbital, intermix then it is called sp-hybridisation. For example, in BeF2, Be atom undergoes sp-hybridisation. It has linear shape. Bond angle is 180°.
• sp² hybridisation: One s-and two p-orbitals get hybridised to form three equivalent hybrid orbitals. The three hybrid orbitals are directed towards three corners of an equilateral triangle. It is, therefore, known as trigonal hybridisation.
• sp³ hybridisation: One s-and three p-orbitals get hybridised to form four equivalent hybrid orbitals. These orbitals are directed towards the four corners of a regular tetrahedron.