Hybrid Orbitals
In order to explain the structure of methane (CH₄), the 2s and three 2p orbitals are converted to four equivalent hybrid atomic orbitals, each having 25% s and 75% p character, and designated sp³. These hybrid orbitals have a specific orientation, and the four are naturally oriented in a tetrahedral fashion. Thus, the four covalent bonds of methane consist of shared electron pairs with four hydrogen atoms in a tetrahedral configuration, as predicted by VSEPR theory.