Final answer:
sp² hybridization occurs when one s orbital mixes with two p orbitals to form three sp² hybrid orbitals in a trigonal planar arrangement, with a remaining unhybridized p orbital. Ethene (H₂CCH₂) serves as an example where carbon atoms exhibit sp² hybridization.
Step-by-step explanation:
sp² Hybridization Explained:
sp² hybridization involves the mixing of one s orbital with two p orbitals in a valence shell to form a set of three sp² hybrid orbitals. This results in one-third s-character and two-thirds p-character in each hybrid orbital. The new sp² orbitals are oriented in a plane 120° apart leading to a trigonal planar geometry around the central atom. One additional p orbital remains unhybridized and is oriented perpendicular to the plane of the sp² orbitals.
Example of sp² Hybridization:
An example of sp² hybridization can be seen in ethene (H₂CCH₂) where each carbon atom is bonded to two hydrogen atoms and has a double bond with the other carbon. This double bond consists of one sigma bond (formed by the head-to-head overlap of sp² orbitals) and one pi bond (formed by the side-to-side overlap of the unhybridized p orbitals).