orbital created by combining atomic orbitals on a central atom

model that describes the changes in the atomic orbitals of an atom when it forms a covalent compound

one of a set of two orbitals with a linear arrangement that results from combining one s and one p orbital

one of a set of three orbitals with a trigonal planar arrangement that results from combining one s and two p orbitals

one of a set of four orbitals with a tetrahedral arrangement that results from combining one s and three p orbitals

one of a set of five orbitals with a trigonal bipyramidal arrangement that results from combining one s, three p, and one d orbital

sp^3d^2 hybrid orbital

one of a set of six orbitals with an octahedral arrangement that results from combining one s, three p, and two d orbitals

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Chemistry 2e · 8.2 Hybrid Atomic Orbitals

Hybrid Atomic Orbitals: practice problems

7 problems from the book, with its answers. Check your working, or have any of them explained to you on the whiteboard.

Exercises 9
Why is the concept of hybridization required in valence bond theory?
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Exercises 11
Explain why a carbon atom cannot form five bonds using sp³d hybrid orbitals.
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Exercises 13
A molecule with the formula AB₃ could have one of four different shapes. Give the shape and the hybridization of the central A atom for each.
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Exercises 15
Sulfuric acid is manufactured by a series of reactions represented by the following equations:
$S_{8} (s) + 8 O_{2} (g) ⟶ 8 SO_{2} (g)$
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Exercises 17
Analysis of a compound indicates that it contains 77.55% Xe and 22.45% F by mass.
(a) What is the empirical formula for this compound? (Assume this is also the molecular formula in responding to the remaining parts of this exercise).
(b) Write a Lewis structure for the compound.
(c) Predict the shape of the molecules of the compound.
(d) What hybridization is consistent with the shape you predicted?
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Exercises 19
Strike-anywhere matches contain a layer of KClO₃ and a layer of P₄S₃. The heat produced by the friction of striking the match causes these two compounds to react vigorously, which sets fire to the wooden stem of the match. KClO₃ contains the $ClO_{3}^{-}$ ion. P₄S₃ is an unusual molecule with the skeletal structure.
(a) Write Lewis structures for P₄S₃ and the $ClO_{3}^{-}$ ion.
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Exercises 21
Write Lewis structures for NF₃ and PF₅. On the basis of hybrid orbitals, explain the fact that NF₃, PF₃, and PF₅ are stable molecules, but NF₅ does not exist.
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Key terms · 7

hybrid orbital: orbital created by combining atomic orbitals on a central atom
hybridization: model that describes the changes in the atomic orbitals of an atom when it forms a covalent compound
sp hybrid orbital: one of a set of two orbitals with a linear arrangement that results from combining one s and one p orbital
sp^2 hybrid orbital: one of a set of three orbitals with a trigonal planar arrangement that results from combining one s and two p orbitals
sp^3 hybrid orbital: one of a set of four orbitals with a tetrahedral arrangement that results from combining one s and three p orbitals
sp^3d hybrid orbital: one of a set of five orbitals with a trigonal bipyramidal arrangement that results from combining one s, three p, and one d orbital
sp^3d^2 hybrid orbital: one of a set of six orbitals with an octahedral arrangement that results from combining one s, three p, and two d orbitals

Learn 8.2 on the whiteboard

The tutor teaches the whole section, drawing it out step by step and answering your questions as you go.

Read 8.2 in the textbook · This section on openstax.org

Hybrid Atomic Orbitals: practice problems

7 problems from the book, with its answers. Check your working, or have any of them explained to you on the whiteboard.

Exercises 9

Why is the concept of hybridization required in valence bond theory?

Exercises 11

Explain why a carbon atom cannot form five bonds using sp³d hybrid orbitals.

Exercises 13

A molecule with the formula AB₃ could have one of four different shapes. Give the shape and the hybridization of the central A atom for each.

Exercises 15

Sulfuric acid is manufactured by a series of reactions represented by the following equations:

$S_{8} (s) + 8 O_{2} (g) ⟶ 8 SO_{2} (g)$

Exercises 17

Analysis of a compound indicates that it contains 77.55% Xe and 22.45% F by mass.

(a) What is the empirical formula for this compound? (Assume this is also the molecular formula in responding to the remaining parts of this exercise).

(b) Write a Lewis structure for the compound.

(d) What hybridization is consistent with the shape you predicted?

Exercises 19

Strike-anywhere matches contain a layer of KClO₃ and a layer of P₄S₃. The heat produced by the friction of striking the match causes these two compounds to react vigorously, which sets fire to the wooden stem of the match. KClO₃ contains the $ClO_{3}^{-}$ ion. P₄S₃ is an unusual molecule with the skeletal structure.

A Lewis structure is shown in which three phosphorus atoms are single bonded together to form a triangle. Each phosphorus is bonded to a sulfur atom by a vertical single bond and each of those sulfur atoms is then bonded to a single phosphorus atom so that a six-sided ring is created with a sulfur in the middle.

(a) Write Lewis structures for P₄S₃ and the $ClO_{3}^{-}$ ion.

Exercises 21

Write Lewis structures for NF₃ and PF₅. On the basis of hybrid orbitals, explain the fact that NF₃, PF₃, and PF₅ are stable molecules, but NF₅ does not exist.

Key terms · 7

hybrid orbital: orbital created by combining atomic orbitals on a central atom
hybridization: model that describes the changes in the atomic orbitals of an atom when it forms a covalent compound
sp hybrid orbital: one of a set of two orbitals with a linear arrangement that results from combining one s and one p orbital
sp^2 hybrid orbital: one of a set of three orbitals with a trigonal planar arrangement that results from combining one s and two p orbitals
sp^3 hybrid orbital: one of a set of four orbitals with a tetrahedral arrangement that results from combining one s and three p orbitals
sp^3d hybrid orbital: one of a set of five orbitals with a trigonal bipyramidal arrangement that results from combining one s, three p, and one d orbital
sp^3d^2 hybrid orbital: one of a set of six orbitals with an octahedral arrangement that results from combining one s, three p, and two d orbitals

Learn 8.2 on the whiteboard

The tutor teaches the whole section, drawing it out step by step and answering your questions as you go.

Read 8.2 in the textbook · This section on openstax.org