what is the main difference between …

sp Hybridization

sp hybridization is observed when one s and one p orbital in the same main shell of an atom mix to form two new equivalent orbitals. The new orbitals formed are called sp hybridized orbitals. It forms linear molecules with an angle of 180°

• This type of hybridization involves the mixing of one ‘s’ orbital and one ‘p’ orbital of equal energy to give a new hybrid orbital known as a sp hybridized orbital.
• sp hybridization is also called diagonal hybridization.
• Each sp hybridized orbital has an equal amount of s and p character, i.e., 50% s and p character.

sp³ Hybridization

When one ‘s’ orbital and 3 ‘p’ orbitals belonging to the same shell of an atom mix together to form four new equivalent orbital, the type of hybridization is called a tetrahedral hybridization or sp³. The new orbitals formed are called sp³ hybrid orbitals.

• These are directed towards the four corners of a regular tetrahedron and make an angle of 109°28’ with one another.
•  The angle between the sp3 hybrid orbitals is 109.28⁰
• Each sp³ hybrid orbital has 25% s character and 75% p character.
• Example of sp³ hybridization: ethane (C₂H₆), methane.