Does hybridization only occur when bonding?

[Ryan Fang 1D]

Can an atom have hybridized orbitals when not bonded or in the process of bonding?

[Johann Park 2B]

Hybridization of orbitals requires a "higher state of energy" of an atom (like the Carbon example Prof. Lavelle used in lecture for CH₄) and thus only occurs when it is involved with bonding. Really I believe it is to be considered as a model to describe bonding and explain observed structure.

[Austin Ho 1E]

What Johann said is correct. Hybridization only occurs in bonding because it allows certain elements to bond more than you'd expect them to be able to due to the positions of the electrons in their orbitals, such as Carbon. Carbon only has 2 unpaired electrons in its p orbital, but if you use sp3 hyrbidization for a molecule like CH4, you can effectively use all 4 orbitals (1 from 2s and 3 from 2p), thus allowing you to bond more.

Simply put, yes it only occurs in bonding.

[Jessica Nunez 1I]

Are there any exceptions to the Hybridization guidelines given in lecture?