Figure \(\PageIndex{5}\): The process of \(sp^3\) hybridization is the mixing of an \(s\) orbital with a set of three \(p\) orbitals to form a set of four \(sp^3\) hybrid orbitals. The four lobes of e...Figure \(\PageIndex{5}\): The process of \(sp^3\) hybridization is the mixing of an \(s\) orbital with a set of three \(p\) orbitals to form a set of four \(sp^3\) hybrid orbitals. The four lobes of each of the \(sp^3\) hybrid orbitals then overlap with the normal unhybridized \(1s\) orbitals of each hydrogen atom to form the tetrahedral methane molecule. (Credit: Jodi So; Source: CK-12 Foundation; License: CC BY-NC 3.0(opens in new window))
