Question

In the three-dimensional structure of methane, CH4, the hydrogen atoms attached to a carbon Group of answer choices at the corners of a tetrahedron. at the corners of a square. at the corners of a rectangle. at the corners of a cube. in a straight line.

Answer 1

Answer : The correct option is, at the corners of a tetrahedron.

Explanation :

Formula used  :

$\text{Number of electron pair}=\frac{1}{2}[V+N-C+A]$

where,

V = number of valence electrons present in central atom

N = number of monovalent atoms bonded to central atom

C = charge of cation

A = charge of anion

Now we have to determine the hybridization of the given molecule.

The given molecule is, $CH_4$

$\text{Number of electrons}=\frac{1}{2}\times [4+4]=4$

The number of electron pair are 4 that means the hybridization will be $sp^3$ and the electronic geometry of the molecule will be tetrahedral and the bond angle will be, $109.5^o$.

Hence, the correct option is, at the corners of a tetrahedron.