Orbital Hybridization (sp, sp², sp³)
Step through promotion, hybridisation and bonding for nine molecules with a rotating 3D hybrid-orbital picture.
Pick a molecule, then step through promote → hybridise → bond. Drag the 3D picture to rotate it.
About the Orbital Hybridization (sp, sp², sp³)
Free orbital hybridization (sp, sp², sp³). Step through promotion, hybridisation and bonding for nine molecules with a rotating 3D hybrid-orbital picture. Drag, change the sliders and see the result live. No sign-up, works on phone and computer. Built for molecules, the orbital hybridization (sp, sp², sp³) runs instantly in your browser: change a setting or drag an object and the result updates at once, so you learn by trying things out rather than only reading about them.
Step through promotion, hybridisation and bonding for nine molecules with a rotating 3D hybrid-orbital picture. Use it to explore molecules ideas at your own pace, then check what you found against the key ideas further down this page.
How to use the Orbital Hybridization (sp, sp², sp³)
- Use the controls to change Molecule, Step. The simulation reacts instantly.
- Pick an option such as CH₄, NH₃, H₂O, C₂H₄ to switch modes or load an example.
- Press "Play all steps" to start, reset or change what is happening.
- Where you see a glowing handle, object, weight or atom, drag it with your mouse or finger. Everything responds in real time.
- Watch the readouts and graphs update as you experiment, and compare what you see with the key ideas below.
Things to try
- Compare CH₄, C₂H₄ and C₂H₂.
- Press Play all steps for CH₄.
- See how the lone pairs in H₂O are drawn.
- Drag the 3D picture to rotate it.
Key ideas you can learn
- Atomic s and p orbitals mix into equal hybrid orbitals.
- sp is linear, sp² is trigonal planar, sp³ is tetrahedral.
- Lone pairs also sit in hybrid orbitals.
- Left-over p orbitals form pi bonds in double and triple bonds.
Where this is used in the real world
Hybridisation explains the shapes and angles of organic molecules, the rigidity of double bonds and why graphite and diamond differ.
Who is this simulation for?
Chemistry and biology students learning bonding and molecular shape, and teachers who need an interactive 3D model instead of a textbook drawing.
For teachers: project it on the board, let students predict what will happen, then run it together. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the hybridisation of an atom?
Count the sigma bonds plus lone pairs: 2 is sp, 3 is sp², 4 is sp³, 5 is sp³d and 6 is sp³d².
What is the difference between sigma and pi bonds?
A sigma bond is head-on overlap along the bond axis; a pi bond is side-on overlap of p orbitals above and below.
Is the Orbital Hybridization (sp, sp², sp³) free to use?
Yes. It is completely free, with no signup, no download and no ads inside the simulation. It runs in your web browser.
Does the Orbital Hybridization (sp, sp², sp³) work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. It uses touch as well as the mouse, so you can drag objects with your finger. A larger screen makes the controls easier to see.