Hybridization and Orbital Shape

[zfinn]

How does the hybridization of orbitals change their shape?

[Alex Tchekanov Dis 2k]

Hybridization in a way is the combination of two orbitals. For example, the S orbital and the P orbital in SP3 hybridization. The S orbital has a spherical shape while the P orbital has a 3D infinity sign shape (sorry I don't have a better name for this but you can google a picture). Thus, when hybridization occurs, and the two orbitals combine, the two shapes combine to make a new orbital shape.

[Martina]

Hybridization of two orbitals changes the shape because they combine to share electrons and become a different shape.