Moderate

The decreasing order of size of various hybrid orbitals is:

Correct answer: B. sp³ > sp² > sp

  • A. sp > sp² > sp³
  • B. sp³ > sp² > sp
  • C. sp² > sp > sp³
  • D. sp > sp³ > sp²

Explanation

The size of a hybrid orbital is related to its p-character. An sp³ orbital has 75% p-character, sp² has 66.7%, and sp has 50%. Since p-orbitals are more extended than s-orbitals, the size decreases as the p-character decreases: sp³ > sp² > sp.

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