In an sp3 hybridised carbon, the angle between the hybrid orbitals is

  • A. 90 degrees
  • B. 109.5 degrees
  • C. 120 degrees
  • D. 180 degrees

Explanation

Four equivalent orbitals repel each other to the corners of a tetrahedron, which places them at 109.5 degrees. The sp2 arrangement gives 120 degrees in a plane and sp gives 180 degrees in a line. Each hybridisation is associated with a fixed geometry, which is worth memorising as a set.

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