Question
Question: Which angles are associated with the following orbitals \(sp\), \(sp^{2} \) and \(sp^{3}\)?...
Which angles are associated with the following orbitals sp, sp2 and sp3?
Solution
The process of forming new degenerate atomic orbitals is called hybridization. Hybridized Orbitals are formed by the mixing of two atomic orbitals such as one ‘s’ and one ‘p’ which have the same energy level. The atomic orbitals formed by hybridization are sp, sp2 and sp3.
Complete answer:
Hybridization and the bond angle of atomic orbitals are related to each other. The hybridized orbitals have some percent of an s orbital and p orbital depending on the type of hybridization.We know that the percent of ‘s’ character in a hybrid molecule is directly proportional to its bond angle. If the percent of ‘s’ orbital increases the angle between the bonds also increases.
Let's have a look at each hybridization of orbitals and the bond angle they possess.
1.sp hybridized orbitals
sp orbitals are formed when one ‘s’ orbitals overlap with one ‘p’ orbital in a similar main shell of the atom. It results in the formation of two new orbitals, so the ‘s’ character is 50 and the ‘p’ character is 50.
sp hybridized orbitals form a linear structure in space. Thus, the bond angle between them is 1800.
2.sp2 hybridized orbitals
sp2 orbitals are formed when one ‘s’ orbitals overlap with two ‘p’ orbitals in the similar main shell of the atom. It results in the formation of three new orbitals, so the ‘s’ character is 33.33 and the ‘p’ character is 66.66 as the p orbitals are double than the s orbital.
sp2 hybridized orbitals form a triangular planar structure in space. Thus, the bond angle between them is 1200.
3.sp3 hybridized orbitals.
sp3 orbitals are formed when one ‘s’ orbitals overlap with three ‘p’ orbitals in a similar main shell of the atom. It results in the formation of four new orbitals, so the ‘s’ character is 25 and the ‘p’ character is 75 as the p orbitals are triple the s orbital.
sp3 hybridized orbitals form a tetrahedral structure in space. Thus, the bond angle between them is 109.280
Final answer: Bond angle associated with the orbitals are as follows:
Orbital | Bond Angle |
---|---|
sp | 1800 |
sp2 | 1200 |
sp3 | 109.280 |
Note:
To find the bond angles between hybridized orbitals, you can divide the number of orbitals formed by 360o. However, in sp3 hybridized orbitals the bond angle goes more than 90o, as there is repulsion between the orbitals. This also changes the geometry of the atom.