In the molecule of water (H_2O), what is the hybridization around each oxygen atom?

• A. sp
• B. sp^3
• C. sp^2
• D. sp^3d

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the central atom in the water molecule, which is oxygen (O).
2. Determine the number of electron groups around the oxygen atom. In H_2O, oxygen has two bonded hydrogen atoms and two lone pairs, making a total of four electron groups.
3. Recall that the hybridization corresponds to the number of electron groups around the atom: 2 groups = sp, 3 groups = sp^2, 4 groups = sp^3, and so on.
4. Since oxygen has four electron groups, the hybridization is sp^3.
5. Understand that this sp^3 hybridization explains the bent shape of the water molecule due to the repulsion between lone pairs and bonded atoms.