Understanding Orbitals to Carbon's s and p Orbitals and Hybridization

  • Thread starter Thread starter f24u7
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Orbitals
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of atomic orbitals, specifically focusing on carbon's s and p orbitals, hybridization, and the bonding in molecules like BeF2. Participants explore how orbitals interact, overlap, and contribute to hybridization in chemical bonding.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the 1s orbital is contained within the 2s and 2p orbitals, suggesting a conceptual overlap rather than a simple addition of orbitals.
  • Another participant mentions that hybrid orbitals are formed only during bonding and primarily involve s and p orbitals, while noting that d orbitals can also be involved in hybridization.
  • A claim is made that the sp3 hybrid orbital results from the combination of an s orbital with one of the p orbitals, allowing for the formation of three sigma bonds and one pi bond.
  • In response to a question about BeF2, a participant explains that two sp hybrid orbitals are created from the 2s and 2p orbitals of beryllium to facilitate bonding, referencing the Pauli exclusion principle.
  • There is a correction regarding the terminology used, with a participant stating that "adds up" is not appropriate and that orbitals overlap instead.
  • Another participant disputes the claim regarding hybrid orbitals, stating that there are hybrid orbitals like dsp3 and challenges the existence of a 2p3 orbital in fluorine, indicating a misunderstanding in the configuration.
  • Confusion is expressed about the relative sizes of s and p orbitals and their overlapping characteristics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of orbital overlap, the specifics of hybridization, and the terminology used to describe these concepts. No consensus is reached on several points, particularly regarding the existence of certain orbital configurations and the principles governing hybridization.

Contextual Notes

Some statements rely on specific interpretations of orbital theory and may depend on definitions that are not universally agreed upon. The discussion includes unresolved questions about the nature of hybrid orbitals and the configurations of electrons in atoms.

f24u7
Messages
46
Reaction score
0
hi, i have a little question about orbitals

Say that element carbon, with s, and p orbitals, does
the orbital adds up to each other, meaning is 1s orbital
inside the 2s and 2p orbitals?



If my assumption is true then how does hybrid orbitals work?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Yes but when you get to the 3d orbitals the electrons are inside the 4s subshell even though the 4s subshell is already filled.
 
Last edited:
Hybrid orbitals work only when bonds are made, they only require the s and p orbitals since the d orbitals are inside of both. The sp3 hybrid orbital means there s orbital has combined with one of the p orbitals to create 3 sp orbitals and one p orbital. This makes way for three sigma bonds and a pi bond.
 
thanks for the answer

here is another small question

considering BeF(2) how is there two sp hybrid orbitals
 
Since the 2s orbital of the Be is all filled up and it is bonding to the 2p3 orbital in the F two sp hybrid orbitals are created to allow the bond to happen. These orbitals are created in place of the 2s and 2p orbitals to allow the bond to occur bases on the pauli excursion principle. only one p orbital would be filled due to the bond, therefore two sp2 orbitals are created.
 
Last edited:
f24u7 said:
Say that element carbon, with s, and p orbitals, does the orbital adds up to each other, meaning is 1s orbital inside the 2s and 2p orbitals?

Adds up is not the best selection of words... They overlap.
 
poopcaboose said:
Hybrid orbitals work only when bonds are made, they only require the s and p orbitals since the d orbitals are inside of both.

Not true - there are hybrid orbitals like dsp3.

The sp3 hybrid orbital means there s orbital has combined with one of the p orbitals to create 3 sp orbitals and one p orbital. This makes way for three sigma bonds and a pi bond.

Number of hybrid orbitals is always identical to the number of orbitals you combine, so you can't get 4 orbitals from 2 orbitals.

poopcaboose said:
pauli excursion principle

I am afraid parts that I have deleted were not better than assumption that Pauli went on a trip to came to the EXCLUSION principle.

No such thing as 2p3 oribital, no such configuration as 2p3 in F atom.
 
Borek said:
Adds up is not the best selection of words... They overlap.


i am a little confuse

so basically s orbital is smaller than p orbitals and overlaps with the two lobes of the

p oribital?
 
You can put it this way.
 
  • #10
Thanks for the answers
 

Similar threads

Orbital overlap diagram for ammonia
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
7K
Chemistry How to understand hybridization in ##CH_3NNN##?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Why Is There No Hybridization in HCl?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
11K
Where do vacant p-orbitals come from?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
What is the Role of Energy in Quantum Hybridized Orbitals?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Acidity in organic compounds and hybridization
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
What is the hybridization of oxygen in formaldehyde?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
8K
Undergrad Orbitals and selection rules in a synchrotron
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K
Number of sp3-Hybridized Carbon Atoms in Tamoxifen
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
13K
Undergrad Amount of electrons in nuclei
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K