Question

Explain the hybridization of the central atom in: $C{H_4}$ .

Answer 1

Hybridization: Mixing of atomic orbitals which results in the formation of new hybrid orbitals during the chemical bond formation, are known as hybridization. Hybridization occurs when electrons of s and p orbitals react to each other, then hybridization takes place to balance the energy levels.

Complete step by step solution
First of all let us talk about hybridization and why it happens.
Hybridization: Mixing of atomic orbitals which results in the formation of new hybrid orbitals during the chemical bond formation, are known as hybridization. Hybridization occurs when electrons of s and p orbitals react to each other during the chemical bond formation, then hybridization takes place to balance the energy levels. We know that there is a difference between the energies of s and p-orbitals. s-orbitals have less energies in comparison with p-orbitals. To balance this energy difference hybridization takes place. After the hybridization the energies of all the orbits formed are the same. For example: in $s{p^3}$ hybridization one s and three p-orbitals takes place in the hybridization. Hence after hybridization four hybrid orbitals are formed which have the same energies.
Methane is $C{H_4}$ molecule. In this compound one s-orbitals mix with three p-orbitals. so initially its hybridization is $s{p^3}$ and forms four hybrid orbitals (that is why methane has four hydrogen connected to carbon by single bonds). We can simply calculate the hybridization of simple compounds by looking at their structures. For example: if in the structure of molecule the central atom is carbon and there are only single bonds are attached to the carbon then the hybridization of the central atom of molecule will be $s{p^3}$ , if there is one double then hybridization will be $s{p^2}$ and similarly if triple bond is there then $sp$ hybridization will be there.
So the hybridization of the central atom of methane will be $s{p^3}$ .

Note
Number of hybrid orbitals formed after the hybridization is equal to the total number of orbitals taking part in the hybridization. For example if hybridization is $s{p^2}$ hybridized then one s and two p- orbitals take part in the hybridization and total three hybrid orbitals will be formed after the hybridization.