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Question: Which angles are associated with the following orbitals \(sp\), \(sp^{2} \) and \(sp^{3}\)?...

Which angles are associated with the following orbitals spsp, sp2sp^{2} and sp3sp^{3}?

Explanation

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 spsp, sp2sp^{2} and sp3sp^{3}.

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.spsp 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 5050% and the ‘p’ character is 5050%.
spsp hybridized orbitals form a linear structure in space. Thus, the bond angle between them is 1800180^{0}.
2.sp2sp^{2} hybridized orbitals
sp2sp^{2} 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 33.3333.33% and the ‘p’ character is 66.6666.66% as the p orbitals are double than the s orbital.
sp2sp^{2} hybridized orbitals form a triangular planar structure in space. Thus, the bond angle between them is 1200120^{0}.
3.sp3sp^{3} hybridized orbitals.
sp3sp^{3} 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 2525% and the ‘p’ character is 7575% as the p orbitals are triple the s orbital.
sp3sp^{3} hybridized orbitals form a tetrahedral structure in space. Thus, the bond angle between them is 109.280109.28^{0}
Final answer: Bond angle associated with the orbitals are as follows:

OrbitalBond Angle
spsp1800180^{0}
sp2sp^{2} 1200120^{0}
sp3sp^{3}109.280109.28^{0}

Note:
To find the bond angles between hybridized orbitals, you can divide the number of orbitals formed by 360o360^o. However, in sp3sp^{3} hybridized orbitals the bond angle goes more than 90o90^o, as there is repulsion between the orbitals. This also changes the geometry of the atom.