Where can I learn more about this topic? I'm trying Khan Academy now. I searched DAT destroyer and cannot find it.
Quick trick for hybridization: look at the number of bonding orbitals (1 double bond = 1 bonding orbital; same goes for single and triple bonds) and lone pairs and think of them each as domains.
Example1: 1 triple bond & 1 lone pair (as in an acetylide ion)--> 2 domains, so it would be sp
Example 2: the second carbon in butane--> 2 bonds to carbon, 2 bonds to hydrogen= 4 domains, so it would be sp3. (Be careful with carbon chains as the hydrogen atoms usually aren't drawn in- but if it's a carbon with only single bonds and no charge, it will be sp3)
Example 3: the second carbon in butane is carrying a + charge--> 2 bonds to C, 1 to H, and 1 empty orbital, so it is sp2 (3 total occupied domains)
Example 4: the oxygen in a ketone- two lone pairs and one double bond to C--> 3 domains, so it is sp2
These are 4 of the more common problems you'll see.
Note: radicals do not count as a domain- it must be a lone PAIR, not a lone electron
Also, be careful with resonance structures. The hybridization asked for will always be the one with the lowest number of domains.