I have a question that I'm working on:
Both NH2- and NH2+ are angular species, but the bond angle in NH2- is less than that in NH2+.
Take the x-axis to be perpendicular to the plane of the molecule. Does the N2px orbital participate in the hybridization for either species? Briefly explain your answer.
I think I understand it but I just want to check. The NH2- exhibits sp3 hybridization so all three p-orbitals must participate in hybridization. But for NH2+ only two of the three p-orbitals participate in the sp2 hybridization. I'm guessing since the molecule lies in the xy plane then it is the px orbital that is left out. Is this true? Is there a reason for that besides "learn more about quantum mechanics to really understand it"?