Sapling Week 7/8 HW #11

[Sean Phen]

What is the hybridization of phosphorus in each of the molecules or ions?

[Bailey Giovanoli 1L]

You can find the hybridization orbital by counting the number of electron density regions. From there, you know that s can hold one pair, p can hold 3, and so forth. For example, if phosphorous has 3 regions of electron density, then the hybridization orbital is sp2. This is also the idea that the number of atomic orbitals needs to be conserved and therefore be equal to the number of hybridized orbitals.

[Quinton Sprague 1A]

Bit unclear which problem you're are refering to but important to note that when Phosphorous has four electron domains, say 3 bonds to separate atoms and one lone pair, the hybridization of the phosphorous atom is sp^3. Wondering if anyone can answer: Is this the case for any atoms, four electron domains always signals sp^3?

[Adalia 3E]

Yes, I think 4 areas of electron density will always be sp³. Correct me if I'm wrong, though!

[sabrina ghalambor 2J]

^ i think you're right! 4 regions of electron density translates to sp3, 5 is d1sp3, 6 is d^2 sp^3, etc.

[Natalie Do 3F]

2 (bonds/lone pairs)=sp
3=sp^2
4=sp^3
5=sp^3d
6=sp^3d^2

[Adam_ElSayed_3B]

solving these problems is as simple as counting the amount of surrounding bonds/lone pairs and finding the nswer that has the amount of orbitals that match!

[Stephen Min 1I]

You can determine the hybridization of various phosphorus molecules by determining the number of areas of electron density around phosphorous and relating that to the orbitals sp, sp2, sp3, sp3d, sp3d2.

[Isabella Cortes 2H]

you can determine the hybridization of phosphorus by adding up the regions of electron density of that atom which includes lone pairs and bonds. I hope this helps!!

[Olivia Smith 2E]

A quick way to figure out hybridization is to count all of the electron density areas, subtract by one and that will be the exponent if you will of the hybridization.

[Kat Stahl 2K]

You can find the hybridization by:
1. Look at the atom.
2. Count the number of atoms connected to it (atoms – not bonds!)
3. Count the number of lone pairs attached to it.
4. Add these two numbers together.
If it’s 4, your atom is sp3.
If it’s 3, your atom is sp2.
If it’s 2, your atom is sp.
(If it’s 1, it’s probably hydrogen!)

[Kandyce Lance 3E]

A quick way to figure out hybridization is to count all of the electron density areas, subtract by one and that will be the exponent if you will of the hybridization.

I use this trick too, but I'm not sure why we subtract one, can you explain that a bit please?

[Alex Benson]

I believe it should be sp3!

[Andy Hernandez]

sp3 bc regions of e- density equals the number of hybrid orbitals. 1 LP plus 3 bonds equal 4 areas of e- density so its sp3