What is the hybridization of the carbon atom that is bonded to three hydrogens in acetic acid (${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}$)?

• A. $\mathrm{sp}{2}^{}$
• B. The carbon is not hybridized
• C. $\mathrm{sp}$
• D. $\mathrm{sp}{3}^{}$

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the carbon atom in question: the one bonded to three hydrogens in acetic acid (CH3COOH) is the methyl carbon (CH3 group).
2. Recall that hybridization depends on the number of regions of electron density (bonds and lone pairs) around the atom.
3. Count the regions of electron density around the methyl carbon: it has three single bonds to hydrogen atoms and one single bond to the adjacent carbon atom, totaling four sigma bonds.
4. According to valence bond theory, a carbon atom with four sigma bonds adopts an sp\^3 hybridization to form four equivalent hybrid orbitals.
5. Therefore, the hybridization of the methyl carbon bonded to three hydrogens in acetic acid is sp\^3.