What is the hybridization of the central atom in methane (CH4)?

What is the hybridization of the central atom in methane (CH4)?

Step 1: Identify the central atom in methane (CH4). The central atom is carbon (C).
Step 2: Determine the number of bonds the central carbon atom forms. In methane, carbon forms four bonds with four hydrogen atoms.
Step 3: Understand that hybridization involves mixing atomic orbitals to create new hybrid orbitals. Carbon has one 2s and three 2p orbitals.
Step 4: Since carbon forms four bonds, it needs four equivalent orbitals. This means it will hybridize its orbitals.
Step 5: The carbon atom mixes one 2s orbital and three 2p orbitals to create four equivalent sp3 hybrid orbitals.
Step 6: Conclude that the hybridization of the central carbon atom in methane (CH4) is sp3.

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