What type of hybridization is present in the carbon atom of ethylene (C2H4)?
Correct Answer: sp2 hybridization
- Step 1: Understand that ethylene (C2H4) has two carbon atoms and four hydrogen atoms.
- Step 2: Each carbon atom in ethylene forms three bonds: two with hydrogen atoms and one with the other carbon atom.
- Step 3: To form these bonds, the carbon atoms need to mix their atomic orbitals.
- Step 4: Carbon has one 2s orbital and three 2p orbitals. In sp2 hybridization, one 2s orbital mixes with two 2p orbitals.
- Step 5: This mixing creates three equivalent sp2 hybrid orbitals that are arranged in a trigonal planar shape.
- Step 6: The remaining 2p orbital on each carbon atom is used to form a double bond with the other carbon atom.
- Step 7: Therefore, the type of hybridization in the carbon atoms of ethylene is sp2.
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