Question

The hybridization of the orbitals of oxygen in ${{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$ is __________.
A.$s{p^3}d$
B.$sp$
C.$s{p^2}$
D.$s{p^3}$

Answer 1

Hint: The mixing of atomic orbitals to form new hybrid orbitals which are suitable for the pairing of electrons to form chemical bonds is known as hybridization.

Complete step by step answer:
Calculate the valence electrons of ${{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$.
The valence electrons of ${\text{H}}$ are ${\text{1}}$ and the valence electrons of ${\text{O}}$ are ${\text{6}}$. Thus,
Valence electrons of ${{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$ $ = \left( {2 \times {\text{Valence electrons of H}}} \right) + \left( {2 \times {\text{Valence electrons of O}}} \right)$
$ = \left( {2 \times 1} \right) + \left( {2 \times 6} \right)$
$ = 2 + 12$
Valence electrons of ${{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$ $ = 14$
The structure of ${{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$ is,

As three bonds are formed, six electrons are involved in bonding. Thus, the remaining electrons are,
Remaining electrons $ = 14 - 6 = 8$
Place the remaining ${\text{8}}$ electrons around the oxygen atoms to complete their octets Thus,

The eight electrons get placed along the oxygen atoms thus completing the octets of all the oxygen atoms.
The oxygen atoms have two bond pairs and two lone pairs of electrons.
Thus, the hybridization of the orbitals of oxygen in ${{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$ is $s{p^3}$.
Thus, the correct option is option (D).


Note:
The $s{p^3}$ hybridization is a result of mixing one ${\text{2s}}$ orbital and three ${\text{2p}}$ orbitals. This mixing creates four hybrid orbitals having the same characteristics. For an atom to be $s{p^3}$ hybridised, it should have one s orbital and three p orbitals.
The hybridisation of any atom can be determined by the number of bond pairs and the number of lone pairs on it.
The number of bond pairs and the number of lone pairs can be determined from the Lewis structure. The diagram which shows the bonding between the atoms of a molecule is known as Lewis structure or electron-dot structure.