For a carbon atom that is sp2 hybridized, I understand that the electron configuration would be Yes, 1s2 2s1 2p3 which is a 2s up arrow,and 3 orbtials that are 2p up arrows but then since the four bonds hybridize to form four sp3 hybrid bonds how do I write this?

Question

Also for an sp carbon is this electron configuration correct? 1s orbital with an up and down arrow, 2sp orbital with up and up, and 2p orbital with up and up? Would I write this as 1s2 2s2 2p2?

Thank you for the help

Answer 1

C is 1s2 2s2 2p1 2p1 and in sp3 hybrids the 1 2s orbital mixes with the 3 2p orbitals to form 4 bonds, all alike, as sp3 hybrids (hybrids as in not an s and not a p but four mixed s & p to form sp3). We write that as 1s2 sp3 sp3 sp3 sp3 with one electron in each of the 4 sp3 spots.

In SP2 hybrids, the 1 2s mixes with just 2 of the 2p orbitals to form
1s2 sp2 sp2 sp2 2p with one electron in each.

In sp hybrids, 1 2s electron mixes with just 1 2p orbital to give
1s2 sp sp 2p 2p

This site probably does a better job since it shows the up and down arrows.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_hybridisation

Answer 2

Ok I think I understand now, thank you very much for the explanation and the website as well. It really helped!!