What is hybridization?

Hybridization is the concept in chemistry where atomic orbitals within an atom are mixed to form new hybrid orbitals that have equivalent energies. This process helps to explain the geometry of molecular bonding when atoms form molecules. For instance, in methane (CH₄), the carbon atom undergoes hybridization by mixing its 2s and three 2p orbitals to create four equivalent hybrid sp³ orbitals. These sp³ orbitals then arrange themselves in a tetrahedral geometry, minimizing electron repulsion and resulting in a stable molecular structure.

The other choices do not accurately represent hybridization. Removing an electron from an atom pertains to ionization, while the conversion from solid to gas relates to phase changes in physical chemistry, and combining ions into larger molecules involves ionic bonding and assembly, rather than the specific concept of hybridization within atomic orbitals.