Molecular Formula and Hybridization

Question:

Possible Answer:

a) C21 H28

b) 3sp

c) 6SP2

d) 12SP3

Are these correct?

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Re: Molecular Formula and Hybridization

sci0x wrote:
Question:

Possible Answer:

a) C21 H28
b) 3sp
c) 6SP2
d) 12SP3

Are these correct?

I don't think your answers are correct.
I hate hybridisation stuff (not only coz it isn't true) because it's one of those things where the more you think about it, the more confusing it seems >_<

I've edited your image (above) to make things clearer for you. All of the coloured dots represent a carbon. As you can see, there are 25 dots, not 21. I imagine you missed either the CH3 carbons (lines sticking out into the air) or, more likely, you missed the GREEN carbons. A triple bond, because of the way the orbitals are bonded, forms a straight bond. No rotation, no bends. So the only way you know there is a carbon there is because of the lines indicating there is a triple bond, you ignore the fact that the central line does not bend.
You were also short of 4 hydrogens; remember that each carbon has 4 bonds, and where none is shown, you have to make them up with H atoms. Did you miss the hydrogens on the double bonds in the chain?

So, back to your questions. Given that a RED dot is an sp³ hybridised carbon, a BLUE dot is an sp² hybridised carbon, and a GREEN dot is an sp hybridised carbon, the correct answers are:

a) C25H32
b) 4
c) 8
d) 13

Thank you so much! That is a great help!!