Final answer:
Hybridization explains the shapes of molecules and covalent bonding. It involves the mixing of atomic orbitals to form new hybrid orbitals with specific orientations in space.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to explain covalent bonds and the shapes of molecules, we need to understand the concept of hybridization. Hybridization occurs when atomic orbitals mix together to form new hybrid orbitals that are oriented in specific regions of space.
For example, in a molecule like methane (CH4), the four valence orbitals of carbon hybridize to form four equivalent sp3 hybrid orbitals. These hybrid orbitals have a tetrahedral arrangement in space, which corresponds to the observed tetrahedral shape of the methane molecule.
The localized electron model, also known as the valence bond theory, explains covalent bonds as the sharing of electron pairs between atoms. It assumes that atoms use combinations of atomic orbitals (hybrids) to maximize overlap and form strong covalent bonds.