Which of the following best describes the hybridization of the central carbon atom in methane (CH_4)?

• A. sp^3
• B. sp
• C. sp^2
• D. sp^3d

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the central atom in methane (CH_4), which is carbon.
2. Determine the number of regions of electron density (bonding or lone pairs) around the central carbon atom. In methane, carbon forms four single bonds with hydrogen atoms, so there are four regions of electron density.
3. Recall that the hybridization of an atom is based on the number of electron regions: 2 regions correspond to sp, 3 regions to sp^2, 4 regions to sp^3, and 5 regions to sp^3d.
4. Since carbon in methane has four regions of electron density, its hybridization is sp^3.
5. Understand that sp^3 hybridization means one s orbital and three p orbitals mix to form four equivalent sp^3 hybrid orbitals, which arrange themselves tetrahedrally to minimize electron repulsion.