How does hybridization happen?

[Ghadir Seder 1G]

What exactly mean to hybridize and how does it happen? Why do molecules do this?

[Claire Stoecklein 1E]

Hybridization is when two atoms fuse their orbitals to create new hybridized orbitals. This allows the molecules to be lower energy.

[rohun2H]

Hybridization is the mixture of valence atomic orbitals during bond formation to explain the observed structure.

[Anna Chen 1K]

Hybridization happens when an atom bonds using electrons from both the s and p orbitals, creating an imbalance in the energy levels of the electrons. To equalize these energy levels, the s and p orbitals involved between the two atoms are combined to create hybrid orbitals.