Question

specify which hybrid orbitals are used by carbon in co.

Explanation:

Step1: Determine the bonding situation

Carbon in CO has a triple - bond with oxygen and a lone pair.

Step2: Recall hybridization rules

For a central atom with 2 electron - groups (bonding and non - bonding), the hybridization is sp. In CO, carbon has 2 electron - groups (one triple - bond which counts as one electron - group and one lone pair), so it is sp hybridized.

Answer:

sp