Methyl radical is ___________?
Correct answer: C. sp2 hybrid having 7 electron
- A. Sp3 hybrid having 8 electrons
- B. Sp2 hybrid having 6 electron
- C. sp2 hybrid having 7 electron
- D. Sp hybrid having linear geometry
Explanation
A methyl radical, CH3·, has three sigma bonds and one unpaired electron, so its carbon is approximately sp2 hybridized with trigonal planar geometry. Its total electron count is 4 + 3(1) = 7 electrons, making option c correct. The common mistake is option a, which assumes a complete octet and sp3 hybridization despite the unpaired electron.
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About Hybridization
Hybridization explains bonding by combining atomic orbitals to form equivalent hybrid orbitals with definite geometries. Coverage includes sp, sp², sp³, sp³d and sp³d² hybridization, their shapes and bond angles, and the relation of sigma and pi bonds to molecular structure.
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