how to determine hybridization

[Erin Jannusch]

Is hybridization completely determined by molecular shape (VSEPR)? If not, what role, if any, do the individual atom's electron configurations play?

[Emma Boyles 1L]

Hybridization is determined by regions of electron density and how many regions there are. This includes lone pairs where VSEPR doesn't so hybridization is not based completely on VSEPR.

Knowing an atom's electron config. can help determine if there are unhybridized p orbitals remaining that can form a pi bond.

[804899546]

In a case where the central atom is bonded to two outer atoms via double bonds, would the hybridization of the central atom be sp, because there are only two sites where the atoms are bonded, or sp3, because there are four bonds?

[Juanalv326]

Hybridization can be remembered like this.

sp has two bonds from the central atom, sp2 has 3 bonds, and sp3 has 4 bonds.

[Dylan Davisson 2B]

In the case mentioned above where a central atom is bonded to two other atoms via double bonds, the hybridization of the central atom would be sp. This is because hybridization relies on the regions of electron density, not on the actual number of bonds present.