Hybridization and lone pairs

[Katie 1E]

Are lone pairs counted when considering hybridization?

[Mitch Mologne 1A]

Yes you can consider lone pairs as a region of electron density! For example, H2O has two lone pairs but still has a hybridization of sp3.

[Clara Rehmann 1K]

Yes - hybridization refers to regions of electron density so lone pairs contribute to it. The C atom in CH3 for example is sp3 hybridized because it has four regions of electron density (three in its bonds with H atoms and one as a lone pair).

[nanditasundarapandian1D]

Yes, because lone pairs would simply be another area of electron density.