2F.1

[EmilyC_3D]

Question 2F.1 asks us to find the relative orientations of the orbitals, sp3, sp, sp3d, sp2. I understand when each orbital occurs (related to the number of regions of e density). However, I don't understand how we are supposed to know their "relative orientation". Does anyone know what this means and how we should solve for it? Thank you!

[Andrew Jubintoro 3J]

It is asking for how the orbitals are oriented just like how the p orbitals are oriented towards the three (x,y,z) axis. For example, the 4 sp3-orbitals are oriented in a way in which the orbitals point towards the corners of a tetrahedron.
The way they are arranged is the same as the electronic arrangement you used to determine the type of hybridization in the first place

[Samudrala_Vaishnavi 3A]

There isn't really the need to worry about the specifics but getting an understanding of the electron arrangement can aid in understanding the general orientation of the orbitals. The chart above is quite useful in this considering the orientation since the electron arrangements, or in order words, the number of regions of electron density can tell you where the orbitals are pointing. For example, if you see that your Lewis structure has a lone pair by the central atom and it's connected to other atoms with their own octets (lone pairs), there are four regions of electron density, which means a tetrahedral electron arrangement, so the orbitals are pointing towards the corners of the tetrahedral structure