When the hybridization state of a carbon atom changes from `sp^(3)` to `sp^(2)` and finally to `sp`, the angle between the hybridized orbitals

Options

A. decreases gradually
B. decreases considerably
C. is not affected
D. increases progressively

Explanation

To solve the question regarding the change in bond angles as the hybridization state of a carbon atom changes from `sp^3` to `sp^2` and finally to `sp`, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify Hybridization States**:
- The carbon atom can be in three hybridization states: `sp^3`, `sp^2`, and `sp`.
- Each of these states has a specific percentage of s and p character.

2. **Determine the Percentage of s and p Character**:
- For `sp^3`:
- %s character = 25%
- %p character = 75%
- For `sp^2`:
- %s character = 33%
- %p character = 67%
- For `sp`:
- %s character = 50%
- %p character = 50%

3. **Understand the Relationship Between s Character and Bond Angles**:
- The bond angle is directly proportional to the percentage of s character in the hybridization.
- As the percentage of s character increases, the bond angle also increases.

4. **Analyze the Bond Angles for Each Hybridization**:
- For `sp^3`, the bond angle is approximately 109.5°.
- For `sp^2`, the bond angle is approximately 120°.
- For `sp`, the bond angle is 180°.

5. **Conclusion on Bond Angle Changes**:
- As we move from `sp^3` to `sp^2`, the bond angle increases from 109.5° to 120°.
- Moving from `sp^2` to `sp`, the bond angle further increases from 120° to 180°.
- Therefore, the bond angles increase progressively as the hybridization changes from `sp^3` to `sp^2` to `sp`.

6. **Select the Correct Option**:
- Based on the analysis, the correct answer is that the bond angle increases progressively.

### Final Answer:
The angle between the hybridized orbitals increases progressively as the hybridization state of a carbon atom changes from `sp^3` to `sp^2` and finally to `sp`.

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