Molecular shapes and hybridization describe bonding at the sub-atomic level. Molecular shapes tell us about solubility properties and attraction between molecules. Hybridization occurs when s-orbitals combine with p-orbitals to form intermediate energy orbitals. Elements like beryllium, boron, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen undergo hybridization, taking on linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, pyramidal, or angular/bent electron arrangements.

1. Molecular Shapes and Hybridization
• What do molecular
shapes tell us?
• solubility properties
• the degree of
attraction between
molecules

2. What is hybridization?
• An easy way to describe/represent how
certain bonding occurs at the sub-atomic
level
• it occurs when an s-orbital combines
with a p-orbital to form an orbital of
intermediate energy

3. What elements undergo Hybridization?
• Elements in the columns where Be, B, C, N,
and O are located

4. What do hybrids look like?
Normal Hybrid
Be He __ Be He __ __ __ __
2s 2sp
Linear

5. What about Boron?
Normal Hybrid
B He __ __ __ __ B He __ __ __ __
2s 2p 2sp
Trigonal
planar

6. Carbon is next...
Normal Hybrid
C He _ _ _ _ C He _ _ _ _
2s 2p 2sp
Tetrahedral

7. Here’s Nitrogen...
N He _ _ _ _ N He _ _ _ _
2s 2p 2sp
Normal Hybrid
Pyramidal

8. Oxygen is last.
Normal Hybrid
O He _ _ _ _ O He _ _ _ _
2s 2p 2sp
Angular or
bent