What are the Important Characteristics of Hybridization?

By Team Aakash BYJU'S | 22nd January 2023

Hybridization occurs when the energies of orbitals belonging to the same atom or ion are similar.

unhybridized

p orbitals

unhybridized

p orbitals

sp   hybridization

sp   hybridization

sp  hybridization

2

3

The number of orbitals involved in the hybridization process is equal to the number of hybrid orbitals.

s orbital

p orbital

two sp hybrid  orbitals

sp hybrid orbitals shown together

Hybrid orbitals are usually comparable in energy and shape.

Hybrid orbitals produce bonds that are more stable than pure atom orbitals.

Hybridization is the preferred method to produce equivalent orbitals that have the most symmetry.

It is unclear whether hybridization truly takes place. It is a hypothesis that explains how molecules behave in actual situations.

For a stable arrangement and to give the molecule the right form, the hybrid orbitals are pointed in the same direction in space.