Studies indicate that the methyl radical is trigonal planar. Based on this, which of the following best describes the methyl radical? The carbon is sp2 hybridized and the unpaired electron occupies an sp2 orbital. The carbon is sp2 hybridized and the unpaired electron occupies a 2p orbital. The carbon is sp3 hybridized and the unpaired electron occupies an sp3 orbital. The carbon is sp3 hybridized and the unpaired electron occupies a 2p orbital.