HYBRID ORBITAL Meaning and
Definition
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A hybrid orbital is a term used in chemistry to describe a type of atomic orbitals formed when two or more different types of orbitals combine together to form new hybrid orbitals. This process occurs as a result of the mixing of atomic orbitals during the formation of chemical bonds.
Hybrid orbitals are formed when atoms undergo hybridization, which is a process by which the atomic orbitals of an atom combine to form new orbitals that are suitable for bonding. The new hybrid orbitals have different shapes, energies, and orientations compared to the original atomic orbitals.
These hybrid orbitals have distinct geometric shapes, known as sp, sp², sp³, sp³d, sp³d², etc., depending on the number and type of atomic orbitals participating in the hybridization. For example, sp³ hybrid orbitals are formed by the mixing of one s orbital and three p orbitals, resulting in four hybrid orbitals arranged in a tetrahedral geometry.
Hybrid orbitals are crucial in explaining the molecular geometry, bond angles, and hybridization states of molecules. They provide a more accurate representation of the electron distribution in molecules and are used in predicting the shapes and properties of molecules.
In summary, hybrid orbitals are the result of the combination of atomic orbitals during hybridization, providing a basis for molecular bonding and shaping in chemistry.++
Etymology of HYBRID ORBITAL
The word "hybrid" originates from the Latin word "hybrida", which refers to the offspring resulting from the crossbreeding of different species or varieties. The term "orbital" is derived from the Latin word "orbis", meaning circle or orbit. In the context of chemistry, the concept of hybrid orbitals was introduced by Linus Pauling in the 1930s as a way to describe the electronic structure of atoms in molecules. The combination of these two words, "hybrid" and "orbital", refers to the mixing or combination of atomic orbitals to form new hybrid orbitals that exhibit different geometries and characteristics than the original atomic orbitals.
