Which one of the following statements about orbital hybridization is incorrect?

M

a. The carbon atom in CH4 is sp3 hybridized.

b. The carbon atom in CO2 is sp hybridized.

c. The nitrogen atom in NH3 is sp2 hybridized.

d. sp2 hybrid orbitals are coplanar, and at 120 to each other.

e. sp hybrid orbitals lie at 180 to each other.

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Chemistry

General

4 September, 22:51

Which one of the following statements about orbital hybridization is incorrect?

M

a. The carbon atom in CH4 is sp3 hybridized.

b. The carbon atom in CO2 is sp hybridized.

c. The nitrogen atom in NH3 is sp2 hybridized.

d. sp2 hybrid orbitals are coplanar, and at 120 to each other.

e. sp hybrid orbitals lie at 180 to each other.

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Answers (1)

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Cindy Browning · Answer 1

Answer;

C. The nitrogen atom in NH3 is sp2 hybridized.

Explanation; Hybridization is the idea that atomic orbitals fuse to form newly hybridized orbitals, which in turn, influences molecular geometry and bonding properties. The nitrogen atom in NH3 is sp3 hybridized. If we consider the Lewis structure of ammonia, the four electron pairs around the nitrogen atom require a tetrahedral arrangement. The tetrahedral set of sp3 is obtained by combining the 2s and three 2p orbitals.