sp³ Hybridization

Once the carbon atom is in its excited state (C*) with four unpaired electrons, the four atomic orbitals (A.O.s) can be mixed together to form four equivalent hybrid orbitals (H.O.s). This process is called hybridization.

The A.O.s written in bold are those used in the hybridization process.

As the mixing in CH₄ involves one 2s and three 2p-orbitals, it is referred to as being sp³ hybridized.

As there are four atomic orbitals used in the hybridization process, four energetically equivalent sp³ hybrid orbitals formed.

sp³ Hybrid orbitals adopt tetrahedral geometry: