Hybridization in Ethene's C-H Bond

Steps:

• Ethene (C₂H₄) features a C=C double bond with each carbon attached to two hydrogens.
• Each carbon forms three σ bonds, requiring sp² hybridization (trigonal planar geometry).
• Hydrogen contributes its 1s orbital to the C-H bond.
• The C-H bond forms via end-to-end overlap of sp² (carbon) and s (hydrogen) orbitals, creating a σ bond.

Why C is correct:

• In sp² hybridized carbon of ethene, the C-H σ bond results from overlap of an sp² hybrid orbital and hydrogen's 1s orbital, per valence bond theory.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: sp³ hybridization occurs in alkanes like ethane with four σ bonds per carbon, not ethene.
• B: sp hybridization applies to alkynes like ethyne with a triple bond, not ethene's double bond.
• D: Identical to B; sp hybridization does not match ethene's structure.

Final answer: C