Just Kind of Confused

[Claire Guo 1B]

In the textbook, the hybrid orbitals are written sp, sp2, sp3, sp3d, and sp3d2 but the subject thing on chem community was sp, sp2, sp3, dsp3, and d2sp3 and I just got really confused. It probably isn't a really big deal, but I was wondering if the order matters?

[Sarah Bui 2L]

the order doesn't matter! But in class he said he prefers sp, sp2, sp3, dsp3, and d2sp3.

[Emma Scholes 1L]

You can write it either way. Both are considered correct.

[Ashley Kim]

The order doesn't matter as long as you know that the hybridized orbitals combine to make bonding occur.

[Jonathan Cheng 3C]

The order of the way the d orbital is written for hybridization does not matter. It can either be placed in front of the sp or behind it.

[Hannah Faris 1C]

The only reason for moving the d orbital in front is to clarify that it is a lower energy orbital than the s and p orbitals, but I've seen it notated both ways.

[904914909]

So order only matters for electron configuration but not hybridization?

[Hannah Padilla 1H]

Yes, order only matter for electron figuration, not hybridization

[Kaylee Kang 1G]

Either way is fine in this case!

[Yiting_Gong_4L]

The order for hybridization does not matter, but it does for electron configuration!

[JiangJC Dis2K]

Lavelle went over this in class and said that he personally will accept either way. As long as the total number of orbitals matches the number of electron densities in the right order you should be good!

[Aleeque Marselian 1A]

It doesn't matter. Professor Lavelle showed the class both because the book shows it differently, so it's just based on preference.

[Andrew Lam 3B]

I think it's just more of a stylistic thing and personal preference.

[taryn_baldus2E]

They are both the same and simply depend on your own preference.