Would these orbital descriptions be atomic or hybrid orbitals? s, p, d, f, sp^2, sp^3

1 Answer
Dec 4, 2016

sp^2, and sp^3 are descriptions of hybrid orbitals

s,p,d,f are usually used to describe atomic orbitals.

Explanation:

sp^2, and sp^3 are descriptions of hybrid orbitals, where n atomic orbitals make n hybrid orbitals and n is the principle quantum number.

Consider the hybridization of C_2H_2, depicted below
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Where the 2s and 2p atomic orbitals in carbon are used to make an sp hybrid orbital. A hybrid orbital of sp is made due to the fact that constituent carbon has 2 sigma bonds present around it.

And:

s,p,d,f,g and are used when writing valence electron configuration shorthand, consider below:

Notice how the superscripts for the pertaining element add up to the total amount of the electron in the element, or when written with the noble gas core, the sum of the total superscript value will equal the amount of valence electron in the atom.

An energy level diagram of s,p,d orbitals is also written to the right.

enter image source here