Can you explain the concept of hybridisation in atomic orbitals?

Hybridisation is the concept in chemistry where atomic orbitals mix to form new, identical hybrid orbitals. This happens to allow atoms to form bonds that are optimally oriented for overlap, leading to molecule formation. For instance, in carbon, the 2s and three 2p orbitals can mix to form four sp3 hybrid orbitals. These hybrid orbitals are all equivalent and orient themselves in space to be as far apart as possible, forming a tetrahedral geometry, which is seen in molecules like methane (CH4). There are several types of hybridisation, including sp (linear), sp2 (trigonal planar), and sp3 (tetrahedral), with the type of hybridisation affecting the molecular geometry and bonding properties.