What is the molecular geometry of methane (CH4)?
Correct Answer: Tetrahedral
- Step 1: Identify the chemical formula of methane, which is CH4.
- Step 2: Recognize that methane consists of one carbon atom (C) and four hydrogen atoms (H).
- Step 3: Understand that the carbon atom in methane forms four bonds with the hydrogen atoms.
- Step 4: Learn about hybridization, which is the mixing of atomic orbitals. In methane, the carbon atom undergoes sp3 hybridization.
- Step 5: Realize that sp3 hybridization means the carbon atom has four equivalent hybrid orbitals.
- Step 6: Visualize the arrangement of these four hybrid orbitals. They are arranged in a way that they are as far apart as possible.
- Step 7: Conclude that this arrangement forms a tetrahedral shape, with bond angles of approximately 109.5 degrees.
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