Identify the atomic orbital the lone pair electrons on the C atom are contained in: A)2sp³ B)2sp² C)2sp D)2s E)2p

Question

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The lone pair electrons on the C atom in the given molecule are contained in the 2s and 2p atomic orbitals. The hybridization of the C atom is sp2 (one s and two p orbitals hybridize to form three sp2 hybrid orbitals). Therefore, the lone pair electrons are contained in one of the remaining p orbitals, which is included in the answer choice B. Choice A includes an additional 3d orbital, which is not relevant for this particular molecule. Choice C only includes the hybridized sp2 orbitals, and choice D includes only the 2s orbital, leaving out the relevant 2p orbital. Choice E includes all three relevant orbitals (2s, 2px, 2py, and 2pz), but also includes additional orbitals that are not necessary for this particular molecule.

Identify the Atomic Orbital the Lone Pair Electrons on the C