Chemistry · CHEMICAL BONDING AND MOLECULAR STRUCTURE

Consider the following statements regarding hybridization and orbital characteristics: (A) Hybrid orbitals are always equivalent in energy and shape. (B) Promotion of an electron is an essential condition prior to hybridization. (C) A \( \pi \) bond is stronger than a \( \sigma \) bond because of greater extent of orbital overlap. (D) Only half-filled orbitals of valence shell take part in hybridization; fully filled orbitals can never participate. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. A
   (A) and (D) only
2. B
   (A) and (B) only
3. C
   (B), (C) and (D) only
4. D
   (A) only