Explain the Five Basic Shapes of Hybridization

In a nutshell, a process in which two or more orbitals of different types overlap and give rise to new orbitals of equivalent energy is termed Hybridization. Moreover, the Hybridization of any element results in one of five shapes. This article provides an explanation of the basic shapes of hybridization notes. Furthermore, the shape of any molecule depends on the type of Hybridization it undergoes. These five basic shapes are linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, Trigonal by-pyramidal, and octahedral. 

Basic shapes of Hybridization: Overview

Whenever an object passes through a perfect hybridization, it takes any one shape among the only five shapes. However, many times a molecule isn’t compatible with perfect Hybridization and deviates its shape into different types. In perfect Hybridization, the five shapes are linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, Trigonal planar, Trigonal by-Pyramidal, and octahedral. These shapes are formed by the hybridised orbitals. Four main types of orbitals carry different characteristics. They are s, p, d and f. Moreover, only s, p and d orbitals only participate in the basic shapes of hybridization. 

Linear

It is the first basic shape of hybridization. As the name suggests, two orbitals are linked to one atom and are placed in the same line. This shape can also be thought of as two orbitals situated in one line or say they are at 180 degrees. The body is found in the sp type of Hybridization. In simpler words, this shape is formed when two orbitals, one ‘s’ orbital and one ‘p’ orbital of the same energy, are combined and form two new orbitals of equivalent orbitals in an atomic shell. Furthermore, the Hybridization wherein the orbitals are found in a linear arrangement is termed diagonal Hybridization.

Trigonal planar

In this shape, one atom is linked to three orbitals hybridised along with the atom. The Trigonal planar is a shape that is composed of three hybridised orbitals. These three orbitals are placed at 120 degrees from the atom’s equator, reducing the strain between all orbitals. 

Moreover, a Trigonal planar shape is usually found when an object is sp2 hybridised. As the name suggests, this shape comprises one ‘s’ and two ‘p’ orbitals usually. In the formation of Trigonalar planar, three orbitals (one ‘s’ and two ‘p’) merge and form three new orbitals of equal energy. Since there are three ‘p’ orbitals in the first place, two get hybridised here to form the shape, and one remains un-hybridised. 

Tetrahedral

This shape can be thought of as a tetrahedron that comprises four lines (Orbitals), all merging at one atom. All orbitals are placed at 109.5 degrees. This shape is usually formed when a molecule undergoes sp3 Hybridization. In this shape, there are four orbitals, and one carries ‘s’ characteristics, while the other three are ‘p’ orbitals. A shell has no unhybridized ‘p’ orbitals whenever this shape is formed. 

Trigonal By-pyramidal

Trigonal By-pyramidal and octahedral are the two shapes wherein one extra type of orbitals comprise the shape. This shape is formed with the atom in the centre linked to five orbitals. Whenever this shape is formed, a molecule is said to be the sp3d hybridised. This shape can be imagined as two three dimensional triangles (Pyramids) lying at the same base and forming a molecule with a three-sided shape.

This shape usually has five orbitals, out of which three are linked to atoms at 109.5 degrees from the equator. And other two orbitals stay at the axis or, say, at 180 degrees of the equator. The shape has one ‘s’, three ‘p’ and one ‘d’ orbital. 

Octahedral

This basic shape of hybridization is the outcome of sp3d2 Hybridization. This shape can be imagined as a molecule that is the ‘X’ and ‘+’ combined by the same base (one-one axis of both shapes coincides). Here, there are overall six orbitals, and all are linked at right angles (90 degrees) to the atom. This shape is formed by three ‘s’ orbitals, two ‘p’ orbitals and two ‘d’ orbitals. 

Shapes of Hybridization

Conclusion

As we came through all five basic shapes of hybridization notes, we discussed different basic shapes of Hybridization questions and processes. We can now conclude that when two or more orbitals merge with each other and form new orbitals, linked atoms are termed as hybridised. We came through the shapes of molecules that are the product of different hybridizations. The five shapes are linear, Trigonal, tetrahedral, Trigonal by-pyramidal and octahedral. All these are formed with ‘s’, ‘p’ and ‘d’ orbitals.