The process of "intermixing of atomic ORBITALS of nearly same energies to form a new set of orbitals having equivalent energies" is called hybridization. And orbitals which are formed in hybridization process are called hybrid orbitals.

Conditions for the hybridization:

· Orbitals of same element should take part in the hybridization.

· There should be minimum difference between the orbitals undergoing hybridization.

Characteristics of Hybridization:

· During hybridization the number of hybrid orbitals formed is equal to the number of atomic orbitals involved in hybridization.

· Hybrid orbitals form more stable and stronger bonds than pure atomic orbitals.

· Hybridization does not take place in isolated atoms and possible in those atoms which are prior to participate in chemical bonding.

Types of Hybridization:

· DIFFERENT types of orbitals intermix with each other to form different types of hybrid orbitals.

· Hybrid orbitals are formed by mixing of s, P and d atomic orbitals.

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Hybridization is a process of mixing of two or more atomic orbitals of an atom having comparable energy to form orbitals of equal energy known as hybrid orbitals.For example: hybridization of carbon atom in methane is explained as follows (pic1)
 

One s and three p orbitals of carbon mix/hybridize to give four sp3 hybrid orbitals.The sp3 hybrid orbitals are used by 4 hydrogen atoms for sigma bond formation forming a MOLECULE of methane (CH4).(pic2)