What is the approximate bond angle in methane (CH_4)?

• A. 109.5^a0
• B. 104.5^a0
• C. 120^a0
• D. 90^a0

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the molecular geometry of methane (CH_4). Methane has four hydrogen atoms bonded to a central carbon atom with no lone pairs on the carbon.
2. Recall that the electron pairs around the central atom repel each other and arrange themselves to minimize repulsion, according to the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory.
3. Since methane has four bonding pairs and no lone pairs, the electron pairs arrange themselves in a tetrahedral geometry to be as far apart as possible.
4. The ideal bond angle in a perfect tetrahedral geometry is approximately given by the angle between bonds in a tetrahedron, which is about 109.5 degrees.
5. Therefore, the approximate bond angle in methane (CH_4) is 109.5 degrees.