If an atom has an spextsuperscript{2} hybrid orbital set, how many unhybridized p orbitals does it possess?

• A. 1
• B. 2
• C. 0
• D. 3

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that an atom's valence shell contains one s orbital and three p orbitals before hybridization.
2. Understand that sp\textsuperscript{2} hybridization involves mixing one s orbital and two p orbitals to form three equivalent sp\textsuperscript{2} hybrid orbitals.
3. Since two p orbitals are used in the hybridization, subtract these from the original three p orbitals to find the number of unhybridized p orbitals.
4. Calculate the number of unhybridized p orbitals as: 3 (original p orbitals) - 2 (used in sp\textsuperscript{2} hybridization) = 1 unhybridized p orbital.
5. Therefore, an atom with sp\textsuperscript{2} hybridization has exactly one unhybridized p orbital remaining.