Choose the correct hybridization for the atom indicated in the molecule below.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The atom indicated is the nitrogen atom, which is bonded to three other atoms (two carbon and one hydrogen). This means that the nitrogen atom has a steric number of 3, and therefore needs hybridization that corresponds to three orbitals. The hybridization in this case is sp2, which has three hybrid orbitals. However, since one of the orbitals is occupied by a lone pair of electrons, the hybridization is modified to sp², which shows that one of the hybrid orbitals is a lone pair orbital.

Choose the Correct Hybridization for the Atom Indicated in the Molecule