Characteristics of sp, sp2, sp3- hybrid orbitals

Characteristics of sp-hybrid orbital

·         Results from mixing of one s and one p-orbital.

·         Equivalent and symmetrical.

·         All orbitals have the same shape and energy.

·         Shape is oval shape which is in between spherical and pear shape.

·         Sp- hybrid orbitals are collinear. That means they are aligned in a straight line in opposite direction.

Characteristics of sp²-hybrid orbital

·         Results from mixing of one s-orbital and two p-orbitals.

·         They have the same shape and energy.

·         Lie in one plane.

·         Shape tends more towards the pear shape as the contribution of p-orbital is greater than the contribution of s orbital.

·         Spatial arrangement is trigonal. Angle between each pair is 120^o

Characteristics of sp³- hybrid orbital

·         Results from combination of one s-orbital and three p-orbitals.

·         Orbitals are equivalent and symmetrical.

·         Same shape and energy.

·         Arranged in tetrahedral angle where the angle between each pair is 109.5^o

·         Pear shaped but the lobes are much spread and somewhat shorter in length than the original p-orbitals.