STUDY GUIDE 2026ACTUAL QUESTIONS
ANSWERS AND DETAILED RATIONALES
Structure, Hybridization, and Resonance
1. What is the hybridization state and geometry of the central
carbon in a
CH+
3
CH+3
carbocation intermediate?
A)
sp3
sp3
, Tetrahedral
B)
sp2
sp2
, Trigonal planar
C)
, sp
sp
, Linear
D)
sp3
d
, Trigonal bipyramidal
CorreCt Answer: B
rAtionAle: Carbocations feature a positively charged
carbon atom with three
𝜎
𝝈
bonds and an empty p orbital. This configuration
corresponds to
sp2
𝐬𝐩𝟐
hybridization and a trigonal planar geometry with bond
angles of approximately 120 degrees.
2. Which atomic orbitals overlap to form the carbon-carbon
, 𝜎
𝜎
bond in
H2
C
=CH
−CH3
?
A)
sp2
sp2
and
sp3
sp3
B)
sp2
sp2
and
, sp2
sp2
C)
sp3
sp3
and
sp3
sp3
D)
p
p
and
p
p
CorreCt Answer: A