Barrons SAT Subject Test Chemistry, 13th Edition

The concept of hybridization is summarized in the accompanying table.

TIP

Know these hybrid orbitals designations and their corresponding shapes.

Summary of Hybridization

SIGMA AND PI BONDS

When bonding occurs between s and p orbitals, each bond is identified by a
special term. A sigma bond is a bond between s orbitals, or an s orbital and
another orbital such as a p orbital. It includes bonding between hybrids of s

orbitals such as sp, sp^2 , and sp^3.

In the methane molecule, the sp^3 orbitals are each bonded to hydrogen atoms.
These are sigma bonds.