Question

Which of the following is incorrect about hybridization?
A. The concept of hybridization is not applied to isolated atoms.
B. Hybridization is the mixing of at least two nonequivalent atomic orbitals.
C. The number of hybrid orbitals generated is more than the number of pure atomic orbitals that participate in the hybridization process.
D. Hybridization requires an input of energy.

Answer 1

Correct Answer - C
Hybrid orbitals can be formed from various numbers of atomic orbitals. The number of hybrid orbitals formed always equal the number of atomic orbitals used. For example, if we combine an s orbital and two p orbitals to get a set of equivalent orbitals, we get three hybrid orbitals called `sp^2` hybrid orbitals.
`(1)implies` Hybridization is used only to explain the bonding scheme in a molecule.
`(2)implies` Therefore, a hybrid orbitals is not a pure (that is, native) atomic orbitals. Hybrid orbitals have very different shape from pure atomic orbitals.
`(4)implies` As it involves the promotions of electrons. However, the system more than recovers this energy during extra bond formation.