How do you find hybridization orbitals?

Question

hybridization orbitals formed by oxygen atom
hybridization of carbon atom in carbon disulfide
hybridization of sulfur atom in SO2
hybridization of sulfur in SF4
hybridization of central oxygen atom in ozone O3
hybridization of iodine atome in periodate ion

Answer 1

The way I used to do it was you draw the structure....and then however many atoms are connected to it determines it's hybridization...thats not the "scientific" way but it does give the correct answer. For example in SO2.....Sulfur is connected to two Oxygen atoms....so the sulfur hybridization would be sp or
s(1)p(1) with each number representing an atom. The "s" always has 1...and p can have up to 3. Therefore in SO3 it would be sp2....and in SO4...sp3. And bonds count as one...so if there is a double bond...it counts as one..not two. Same with triple bond. Wikipedia breaks it down really good with visuals....check out the link =)




We recognize three basic types of hybridization: sp3, sp2 and sp. These terms specifically refer to the hybridization of the atom and indicate the number of p orbitals used to form hybrids.

In sp3 hybridization all three p orbitals are mixed with the s orbital to generate four new hybrids (all will form σ type bonds or hold lone electron pairs).

If two p orbitals are utilized in making hybrids with the s orbital, we get three new hybrid orbitals that will form σ type bonds (or hold lone electron pairs), and the "unused" p may participate in π type bonding. We call such an arrangement sp2 hybridization.

If only one p orbital is mixed with the s orbital, in sp hybridization, we produce two hybrids that will participate in σ type bonding (or hold a lone electron pair). In this case, the remaining two p orbitals may be a part of two perpendicular π systems.

Answer 2

Well, in all these, you will first have to write the electronic configurations of both the central atom and the others. Then you will be able to figure out which orbitals of the central atom participate in the bonding and you can decide on the hybridization.
For example, an s and 3 p orbitals of carbon form bonds with 4 Hs to form CH4, so, the hybridization of carbon in methane is sp3.