Okay here is my question... I know how to find the hybridisation of (say),PCl5 molecule.It has 40 valence electrons and so divided by 8 it gives sp3d hybridisation and it has a trigonal bipyramidal geometry but my question is hoq do i find the hybrisation of a particular atom like Phosphorous in Pcl5 ???? Help me yaar-aieee givin me nightmares !!! God bless repliers please!!!

If the atom consists of single bond then it is sp3 hyberdised atom, if double then it is sp2, if triple then sp

dear geoffery ,   hybridisation of PCl₅ is hybridisation of central atom (P) of this molecule ...

hybridisation of N in NH₃ is SP³ & O in H₂O is SP³ ...

short trick for hybridisation =>

n =[ number of electron in valence shell + number of monovalent atoms attached(like H,Cl etc) - charge on molecule]/2

for n = 2 - hybridisation is SP ,

n =3 hybridisation is SP² ,

for n = 4 - SP³  & so on  .........

eg=> NH₃ ..... valence electrons = 5 , monovalent atoms = 3 , charge = 0 so

                    n = [5+3-0]/2 = 4 ,  hybridisation is SP³ 

eg=> NH₄⁺, n = 5+4-1/2 = 4     ,   SP³

eq=> CO₂ , n = 4/2 = 2 = SP                           (here in this molecule monovalent atoms are 0)