Which statement correctly matches carbon hybridization to geometry?

Which statement correctly matches carbon hybridization to geometry?

• A. sp2 → trigonal planar
• B. sp3 → tetrahedral
• C. sp → linear
• D. dsp3 → distorted geometry

Answer: (A)

Hybridization describes how the orbitals on a central atom rearrange to accommodate bonding and lone pairs, which fixes the arrangement of its substituents. When carbon uses three hybrid orbitals formed from one s and two p orbitals (sp2), these three orbitals point roughly 120° apart in a single plane. That plane arrangement gives trigonal planar geometry, with all three sigma bonds lying in one flat plane and the remaining unhybridized p orbital available for pi bonding. The other common mappings—sp3 giving a tetrahedral arrangement, sp giving linear geometry, and dsp3 associated with five-coordination forming square pyramidal or similar shapes—are standard, but the direct sp2 to trigonal planar match is the canonical description.

Hybridization describes how the orbitals on a central atom rearrange to accommodate bonding and lone pairs, which fixes the arrangement of its substituents. When carbon uses three hybrid orbitals formed from one s and two p orbitals (sp2), these three orbitals point roughly 120° apart in a single plane. That plane arrangement gives trigonal planar geometry, with all three sigma bonds lying in one flat plane and the remaining unhybridized p orbital available for pi bonding. The other common mappings—sp3 giving a tetrahedral arrangement, sp giving linear geometry, and dsp3 associated with five-coordination forming square pyramidal or similar shapes—are standard, but the direct sp2 to trigonal planar match is the canonical description.