Tuesday, 15 September 2026

AS Level Chemistry: Orbital Hybridization

 

AS Level Chemistry | Hybridization Revision Note

AS LEVEL CHEMISTRY / REVISION NOTE

Orbital Hybridization

A high-yield guide to how atomic orbitals combine, why molecular shapes form, and how to identify sp, sp², and sp³ hybridization with confidence.

Atomic orbitals Sigma bonding Molecular geometry
Focus: electron domains → hybrid orbitals → shape
Scientist in gloves analyzing blue liquid in a laboratory setting with microscope and glassware.
MOLECULAR MODE: ACTIVE
01 / CORE IDEA

What is hybridization?

Hybridization is the mixing of atomic orbitals on the same atom to form a new set of equivalent hybrid orbitals. These orbitals point in specific directions, allowing atoms to form strong sigma bonds and predictable shapes.

Exam tip: count regions of electron density around the central atom. Each single, double, or triple bond counts as one region.

03 / REFERENCE TABLE

The three essential hybridization patterns

TYPE 01

sp hybridization

1 s orbital + 1 p orbital → 2 sp orbitals

Electron-pair geometry: linear

Bond angle: 180°

Example: carbon in ethyne, C₂H₂.

TYPE 02

sp² hybridization

1 s orbital + 2 p orbitals → 3 sp² orbitals

Electron-pair geometry: trigonal planar

Bond angle: 120°

Example: each carbon in ethene, C₂H₄.

TYPE 03

sp³ hybridization

1 s orbital + 3 p orbitals → 4 sp³ orbitals

Electron-pair geometry: tetrahedral

Bond angle: 109.5°

Example: carbon in methane, CH₄.

04 / WORKED EXAMPLES

Read the structure, identify the hybridization

BeCl₂ Two bonding regions around Be sp; linear; 180°
BF₃ Three bonding regions around B sp²; trigonal planar; 120°
CH₄ Four bonding regions around C sp³; tetrahedral; 109.5°

Revision rule: count electron regions first — hybridization becomes much easier.

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