How many half-filled orbitals are there in a carbon atom?

Answer 1

Looking at the electron configuration of carbon (at. no. 6) you have 1s2 2s2 2p2. In the 2 p subshell, you have 1 electron in the 2px orbital, and 1 electron in the 2py orbital and no electrons in the 2pz orbital. So, the answer is that there are TWO half filled orbitals in the carbon atom. This is the case BEFORE hybridization. After hybridization, there are FOUR half filled orbitals which are called sp3 hybrids.

Answer 2

When in a bond, carbon will always have 4 half-filled orbitals. When writing the electron configuration for carbon you would probably write it like C 1s22s22p2

But in a bond, carbon changes to C 1s22s12p3

One electron from the 2p orbital jumps up to the 3p orbital

First shell- two electrons (filled)

Second shell s orbital- one electron (half filled)

Second shell, first p orbital- one electron (half filled)

Second shell, second p orbital- one electron (half filled)

Second shell, third p orbital (half filled)

It does this because filled and half-filled orbitals are exceptionally stable.

Answer 3

2