Question

The number of p-orbital not involved in the hybridisation of middle carbon atom in CH₂ = C = CH₂ is

• A. 3
• B. 1
• C. 2
• D. Cannot be predicted

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

3

Answer 2

It is the orbital that undergo hybridisation and not the electrons. For example , for orbitals of nitrogen atom $(2s^{2}2p_{x}^{1}2p_{y}^{1}2p_{z}^{1})$ belonging to valency shell when hybridise to form four hybrid orbitals , one of which has two electrons (as before) and other three have one electron each. It is not necessary that only half filled orbitals participate in hybridisation. In some cases, even filled orbitals of valence shell take part in hybridisation.