Which of the following compounds has a tetrahedral molecular geometry?
Practice Questions
Q1
Which of the following compounds has a tetrahedral molecular geometry?
NH3
H2O
CH4
CO2
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which of the following compounds has a tetrahedral molecular geometry?
Step 1: Understand what tetrahedral molecular geometry means. It refers to a shape where a central atom is bonded to four other atoms, forming a three-dimensional shape like a pyramid with a triangular base.
Step 2: Identify the compound CH4 (methane). It consists of one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms.
Step 3: Count the number of bonding pairs of electrons in CH4. There are four bonds between the carbon and hydrogen atoms.
Step 4: Check for lone pairs of electrons on the central atom (carbon). In CH4, there are no lone pairs on the carbon atom.
Step 5: Conclude that since CH4 has four bonding pairs and no lone pairs, it has a tetrahedral molecular geometry.
