4.95

[Helen Shi 1J]

Can someone explain what does the numbers in front of the hybrid orbitals mean? Like 2(sp2) or 1S. Is it the number of hybrid orbitals there are or is it related to the row on the periodic table?

[Caitlin Mispagel 1D]

I think that it is related to the number on the periodic table. So for example hybridization between a 2s orbital and a 2p orbital could be a 2sp^2 hybridization.

[Ya Gao]

The number is related to the number on the periodic table because the number represents which orbital the valence electron is, for example, H1s, the valence electron of hydrogen atom is in the 1s orbital. Hope that helps.

[Dylan Mai 1D]

Will we be asked on the test to answer with the number in front of the hybridized orbital?