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Answer: up to 4 other atoms.

Explanation:

  • Hybridization sp³ means that the atom has 4 equal orbitals formed by the combination of 1 s and 3 p orbitals.

  • Each of these sp³ orbitals is a place for a chemical bonding.

  • Hence, since each orbital is able to bind a different atom, you conclude that a central atom that is sp³ hydridized could bind up to 4 other atoms.

This is precisely the case for carbon (C) atoms.

Carbon has atomic number 6. So its electron configuration is 1s² 2s²p².

The four electrons in the level 2, those shown in 2s² 2p², are in two different orbitals: two are in the orbital 2s and two are in the orbitals 2p.

This diagram shows how those 4 electrons fill the orbitals

  • 2s⇅ 2px↑ 2py↑

The two 2s electrons have lower energy level than the 2px and 2 py electrons, but the difference is not too big.That is why one of the electrons in the 2s ortital can be promoted to the empty 2pz orbital, and you get 4 equal hydridized ortibals, so called sp³.

And that is why, carbon (C) ends up with 4 equal (hydridized) orbitals which can bind up to 4 different atoms, including other carbon atoms, and so, form long chains and, virtually, infinite compounds.

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