Today we learned two important ideas -- hybridization and resonance. Hybridization allows a chemist to explain molecular geometries by showing that we can combine "normal" orbitals into hybrids. The example shown today in class demonstrated how a carbon atom, with valence electrons in 2s and 2p orbitals, can hybridize those orbitals in such a way that the carbon will naturally assume a tetrahedral shape. There are other methods of hybridization that lead to carbon geometries consistent with atoms having double or triple bonds, as well. This material is at the end of chapter one.
We also discussed resonance, which for our purposes now refers to a method of maneuvering electrons in order to demonstrate different contributing structures to an overall structure. The major point to remember here, and the one that is often the most difficult for students, is that the structure does NOT go back and forth between the various resonance forms. Rather the actual structure is some COMBINATION of all possible resonance forms.
The picture is of Milford Beeghly, an Iowa farmer who was a pioneer in developing and selling hybrid corn. His grandson made a movie about him, you can read about it here.
Bring clickers on Friday!
1 comment:
Well said.
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