In which of the following molecules does the carbon atom have sp hybridization: HCN, CH4, CO2, and CH2O?

Answer 1

Hi Elle. You can determine the total number of hybridized orbitals a molecule has by the number of bonds it has. For example, a molecule with two bonds will have sp hybridization, because it needs a total of 2 hybridized orbitals for its two bonds.

Both HCN and CO2 have two bonds, so they have sp hybridization. CH4 has four bonds, so it has sp³ hybridization. CH2O has three bonds, so it has sp² hybridization.