Concept:The s-character of a hybrid orbital is calculated by dividing the number of s-orbitals by the total number of orbitals involved in the hybridization.
Formula:$$ \text{% s-character} = \left( \frac{\text{number of s orbitals}}{\text{total hybrid orbitals}} \right) \times 100 $$
Solution:- \( \text{sp} \) hybridization mixes 1 s-orbital and 1 p-orbital (2 total). s-character = \( \frac{1}{2} = 50\% \).
- \( \text{sp}^2 \) hybridization mixes 1 s and 2 p (3 total). s-character = \( \frac{1}{3} = 33.3\% \).
- \( \text{sp}^3 \) hybridization mixes 1 s and 3 p (4 total). s-character = \( \frac{1}{4} = 25\% \).
- Therefore, \( \text{sp} \) hybridized orbitals have the maximum s-character.
Why other options are incorrect:- Option A, Option B, Option D: All possess less than 50% s-character.
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