Question

Methionine, ch3sch2ch2ch(nh2)co2h, is an amino acid found in proteins. what is the hybridization type of each carbon, oxygen, the nitrogen, and the sulfur

Answer 1

Answer 1) To find the hybridization of carbon we need to draw the lewis structure first; which is attached in the answer.

So the formula for finding hybridization is 
Lone pairs + Bonding pairs = hybridisation.

Here, in the molecule of methionine Carbon is bonded to all 4 atoms and has got no lone pairs so we will have;

0 + 4 = 4 which means it is $sp^{3}$ hybridized.

Answer 2) For oxygen we can see in the lewis structure that it is having 2 lone pairs and double bonded with carbon atom, also there is another oxygen atom with two lone pair but bonded with carbon and hydrogen at the end.

So, in both the cases we can calculate;

where 2 lone pairs are present  
2 + 2 = 4 so, it will be $sp^{3}$ hybridized.

So, Oxygen is also $sp^{3}$ hybridized.

Answer 3) Nitrogen present in the methionine is bonded to carbon atom and hydrogen atoms and has only one lone pair on it.

So when we are substituting this in the formula we get 1 + 3 = 4;

which means 1 lone pair and 3 bond pairs so, it is also $sp^{3}$ hybridized.

Answer 4) Sulfur atom in methionine is bonded to two carbon atoms forming a linear structure with 2 lone pairs on it.

So, it has 2 lone pairs and 2 bond pairs,

hence the hybridization will be  $sp^{3}$ hybridized. 

As, 2 + 2 = 4 which means it is  $sp^{3}$ hybridized.