What type of hybridization occurs in methane (CH4)?

What type of hybridization occurs in methane (CH4)?

Step 1: Understand that hybridization is a way to describe how atomic orbitals mix to form new orbitals.
Step 2: Identify the central atom in methane (CH4), which is carbon (C).
Step 3: Note that carbon has one s orbital and three p orbitals available for bonding.
Step 4: Count the number of bonds in methane; there are four hydrogen atoms bonded to one carbon atom.
Step 5: Realize that to form four equivalent bonds, carbon needs to mix its orbitals.
Step 6: Understand that one s orbital and three p orbitals combine to create four new equivalent orbitals.
Step 7: Conclude that this mixing results in sp3 hybridization, which allows for four bonds to be formed.

No concepts available.