MCAT Organic Chemistry Question 35: Answer and Explanation

Home > MCAT Test > MCAT organic chemistry practice tests

Test Information

Use your browser's back button to return to your test results.
Do more MCAT organic chemistry practice tests.

Question: 35

5. Which of the following hybridizations does the Be atom in BeH₂ assume?

A. sp
B. sp²
C. sp³
D. sp⁴

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

Beryllium has only two electrons in its valence shell. When it forms bonds to two hydrogens, it requires two hybridized orbitals, meaning that its hybridization must be sp. Note that the presence of only single bonds does not mean that the hybridization must be sp³; this is a useful assumption for carbon, but does not apply to beryllium because of its smaller number of valence electrons. The two unhybridized p-orbitals around beryllium are empty in BeH₂, which takes on the linear geometry characteristic of sp-hybridized orbitals.

Previous Next