Final answer:
The CH3 free radical follows sp2 hybridization, where the carbon atom forms three sigma bonds and has one unpaired electron in a p-orbital, leading to a planar structure with 120-degree bond angles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The CH3 free radical exhibits sp2 hybridization. This arrangement consists of three sigma bonds and one unpaired electron situated in a p-orbital. The carbon atom in this radical forms a planar structure with 120° bond angles between the hydrogens.
In a free radical reaction mechanism, there are three key stages: initiation, propagation, and termination. In the propagation step, the radical species like R-CH2 and HOO continue to generate more free radicals, leading to a chain reaction until the termination step, where two radicals combine, resulting in a stable molecule.