C has the electronic configuration 1s22s22p2.If C is bonded to 4 other atoms, how many of its orbitals will it hybridize (mix)?
Question
C has the electronic configuration 1s22s22p2.If C is bonded to 4 other atoms, how many of its orbitals will it hybridize (mix)?
Solution
Carbon (C) has 4 valence electrons in its ground state (2 in the 2s orbital and 2 in the 2p orbital). When it forms covalent bonds with four other atoms, it needs to have 4 unpaired electrons available for bonding.
To achieve this, one of the 2s electrons is excited to the 2p level, resulting in four unpaired electrons. This is called promotion.
After promotion, the 2s orbital and the three 2p orbitals hybridize (mix) to form four new equivalent orbitals. These are called sp3 hybrid orbitals (s from the 2s orbital and p from the three 2p orbitals).
So, in total, carbon will hybridize 4 of its orbitals (one 2s and three 2p) when it bonds with four other atoms.
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