Question

The two carbon atoms in acetylene are.
(a) \[s{p^3}\]hybridized
(b) \[s{p^2}\]hybridized
(c) \[sp\]hybridized
(d) Unhybridized

Answer 1

Hint: With hybridization we can easily predict the structure of any given molecule. The \[s{p^3}\], \[s{p^2}\]and \[s{p^{}}\]hybridization represents tetrahedral, linear, or planar and linear structures respectively. By using the concept of hybridization, we can also predict the electronegativity of an atom. With the increases in s character, the electronegativity of the atom will increase parallelly.

Complete step by step solution:By counting the total number of the sigma bond, we can exactly predict the type of hybridization:
If the sum of the sigma bond is two, then the hybridization will be \[s{p^{}}\].
If the sum of the sigma bond is three, then the hybridization will be \[s{p^2}\].
If the sum of the sigma bond is four, then the hybridization will be \[s{p^3}\].
If the sum of the sigma bond is five, then the hybridization will be \[s{p^3}d\].
If the sum of the sigma bond is six, then the hybridization will be \[s{p^3}{d^2}\].
For example, the methane molecule (\[C{H_4}\]) has four sigma bonds, therefore the hybridization of methane will be \[s{p^3}\].
(a) Methane (\[C{H_4}\]):
In a methane molecule, the center atom is carbon, and it has four valence electrons. There are four hydrogens attached to carbon atoms which are forming four sigma bonds to the central carbon atom. We can also say that the carbon atom of methane possesses one \[s\] and three\[p\]characters. The geometry of the methane molecule will be tetrahedral i.e., it has a non-planar structure.

Image: Structure of the methane molecule.

Similarly, we can also predict the type of hybridization and its geometry. The acetylene molecule contains a total of the two sigma bonds. Therefore, the hybridization will be \[sp\]( possesses one \[s\] and one\[p\]characters).

Therefore from the above explanation we can say option (c) will be the correct option:

Note: Acetylene gas is used for welding and cutting purposes.
Acetylene is a colorless gas.
Acetylene is lighter than the air.
Acetylene is considered the starting material for the synthesis of benzene.