Question

The figure shows the hybrid orbitals of methane. mc022-1.jpg Which molecule has the same shape and hybridization as methane? SO3 C2H2 CH2O CF2Cl2

Answer 1

In methane the central C atom is bonded to 4 H atoms forming 4 covalent bonds and adopts a tetrahedral geometry.

The valence electron configuration of C = 2s²2p²

H = 1s¹

In methane, one electron from the 2s orbital of C gets promoted to the 2p orbital creating 4 unpaired electrons. This mixing of the 2s-2p creates 4 sp3 hybrid orbitals each of which then bonds to the 1s orbital of H. Thus, in CH3, the C atom is sp3 hybridized.

This pattern of hybridization is also exhibited by CF2Cl2 in which the central C atom is spe3 hybridized and forms 4 covalent bonds: 2 C-F and 2 C-Cl

Ans: D) CF2Cl2

Answer 2

METHANE - sp³ - shape: tetrahedral
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SO₃ - sp² - shape: trigonal
C₂H₂ - sp - shape: linear
CH₂O - sp² - shape: trigonal
CF₂Cl₂ - sp³ - shape: tetrahedral
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Which molecule has the same shape and hybridization as methane?
CF₂Cl₂ (difluorodichloromethane)