In sp3 hybridization, what percentage of s character is present?

Study for the IMAT Chemistry Exam. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions; hints and explanations included for each question. Prepare effectively for your exam.

Multiple Choice

In sp3 hybridization, what percentage of s character is present?

Explanation:
In sp3 hybridization, one s orbital mixes with three p orbitals to form four equivalent sp3 hybrid orbitals. The s character is shared equally among these four hybrids, so each hybrid contains 1/4 of the s character, which is 25%. That also means each hybrid has 75% p character. The 25% s character is specific to sp3; other hybridizations distribute the s character differently—sp2 would have about 33%, sp would have 50%, and pure p has 0% s.

In sp3 hybridization, one s orbital mixes with three p orbitals to form four equivalent sp3 hybrid orbitals. The s character is shared equally among these four hybrids, so each hybrid contains 1/4 of the s character, which is 25%. That also means each hybrid has 75% p character. The 25% s character is specific to sp3; other hybridizations distribute the s character differently—sp2 would have about 33%, sp would have 50%, and pure p has 0% s.

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