Question

Consider a carbon atom that is sp hybridized. Indicate how many of each orbital exist on this carbon atom by sorting each orbital type. Consider the outer valence only.
Options include: sp orbitals, p orbitals, s orbitals

Put them in the following categories:

Zero One Two Three

Answer 1

Explanation:

It is known that atomic number of carbon is 6 and its electronic configuration is $1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{2}$. This means that in its neutral state it contains 2 electrons in its s-orbital and 2 electrons in its p-orbital.

After excitation there will be one electron present in its s-orbital and three electrons present in p-orbital.

Therefore, after the hybridization there will be in total 2 sp hybrid orbitals, 2 p-orbitals and zero s-orbital.