Question

Question #ee86f

Answer 1

The `s` orbital can combine with any of the `p_x`, `p_y` or `p_z` orbitals.

Three `p` orbitals are all equivalent, so it doesn't matter which one the `s` orbital combines with.

Since the `p` orbitals are equivalent, the `x`, `y`, and `z` labels that we attach to them are completely arbitrary. We choose a label such as `p_z` purely for convenience.

For example, the diagram below uses the `p_y` and `p_z` orbitals to form the π bonds. So it uses the `p_x` orbitals to form the `sp` bonding orbitals.