sp^3 Hybridization

sp³ hybridization is a concept in chemistry where one s orbital and three p orbitals in an atom combine to form four new, equivalent orbitals. These sp³ orbitals arrange themselves in a tetrahedral shape, with bond angles of approximately 109.5 degrees. This hybridization occurs in atoms like carbon, allowing them to form four bonds with other atoms, as seen in molecules like methane (CH₄). This arrangement helps explain the shapes and bonding types in many organic compounds, making sp³ hybridization fundamental to understanding molecular structure in chemistry.