Hybrid Orbital Energy

[A De Castro 14B 2H]

Is the energy of a hybrid orbital equal to the average of the energies of the orbitals that make it up? For example, is the energy of an sp3 hybrid orbital equal the average of the energies of one s orbital and three p orbitals?

[Fayez Kanj]

Hello!

The energy of a hybrid orbital is indeed in between the energies of the regular orbitals (ex: energy of sp3 is in between the energy of s and that of p). However, I don't think its an average (ie: in the middle) because in sp3 for example, there are 3 p's, and 1 s. But all you need to know is that its in between.

Hope this helps :)

Fayez .