Question

Which of the following describe hybrid atomic orbitals? Check all of the boxes that apply.

a mixture of all atomic orbitals in an atom

a mixture of the valence orbitals in an atom

There are as many hybrid orbitals as there are electrons in an atom.

There are as many hybrid orbitals as there are valence electrons in an atom.

There are as many hybrid orbitals as there are valence orbitals that mix together.

have a different shape and a different energy than the atomic orbitals of which they are made

have the same shape but a different energy than the atomic orbitals of which they are made

Answer 1

Select the true statements:

- [ ] a mixture of all atomic orbitals in an atom — False
(Core orbitals generally do not participate; hybridization involves valence orbitals.)

- [x] a mixture of the valence orbitals in an atom — True
(Hybrid orbitals are formed by mixing an atom's valence s and p (and sometimes d) orbitals.)

- [ ] There are as many hybrid orbitals as there are electrons in an atom — False

- [ ] There are as many hybrid orbitals as there are valence electrons in an atom — False

- [x] There are as many hybrid orbitals as there are valence orbitals that mix together — True
(Conservation of orbitals: e.g., 1 s + 3 p → 4 sp3 hybrids.)

- [x] have a different shape and a different energy than the atomic orbitals of which they are made — True
(Hybrids are directional and have energies intermediate between the parent orbitals.)

- [ ] have the same shape but a different energy than the atomic orbitals of which they are made — False