Give an example and explain the meaning of hybridization.

(N/A) In order to explain the characteristic geometrical shapes of polyatomic molecules like $CH_{4}$,$NH_{3}$,and $H_{2}O$,Pauling introduced the concept of hybridization.
Definition: The process of intermixing of atomic orbitals of slightly different energies to redistribute their energies,resulting in the formation of a new set of orbitals of equivalent energies and shape,is known as hybridization.
Example: In $CH_{4}$,the carbon atom undergoes $sp^{3}$ hybridization,where one $2s$ orbital and three $2p$ orbitals mix to form four equivalent $sp^{3}$ hybrid orbitals,resulting in a tetrahedral geometry.