hybrid orbitals

[Natalie 3k]

When naming hybrid orbitals do we have to put the orbital number before it? Like does we have to specify that it's 2sp^3 or is it just sp^3 for example.

[AndrewNguyen_2H]

Good question. To be precise 2sp^3 is correct. A lot of questions just ask what type of hybridization scheme which is why sp^3 can also be correct.

[Andrew Dao 3C]

Usually sp^3 is accepted but if you want to be very specific you can add the 2.

[Shruti Kulkarni 2I]

It just depends on the level of specification you want! If you wanna tell the energy level as well as the hybridization of the orbital, you would put the 2. But sp^3 is equally correct if you are not specifying the energy level.

[Karina Grover 1A]

Oftentimes, you will not need to specify the energy level. He will usually just ask for the general "hybridization" of the element, in which case you would put sp2 or sp3, etc. However, there was one textbook problem where we had to specify (i.e. sigma bond: (H1s, C2ps2)), so just be prepared!