How can one determine the orbital hybridization of an atom in a molecule?

To determine the orbital hybridization of an atom in a molecule, you can look at the atom's steric number, which is the sum of the number of bonded atoms and lone pairs around the atom. The hybridization is determined by the steric number according to the following guidelines:

• Steric number 2: sp hybridization
• Steric number 3: sp2 hybridization
• Steric number 4: sp3 hybridization
• Steric number 5: sp3d hybridization
• Steric number 6: sp3d2 hybridization

By identifying the steric number, you can determine the orbital hybridization of the atom in the molecule.