Multiple Choice
Which molecular geometry is expected for CH3Cl (chloromethane)?
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12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory
Molecular Geometry
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What is the molecular geometry of a CCl_4 molecule?
A
Trigonal planar
B
Bent
C
Trigonal pyramidal
D
Tetrahedral
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the central atom in the molecule, which is carbon (C) in CCl_4.
Determine the number of electron groups around the central atom. Carbon forms four single bonds with four chlorine atoms, so there are four bonding pairs and no lone pairs on carbon.
Use the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory to predict the shape. Four bonding pairs around the central atom repel each other equally and arrange themselves as far apart as possible.
According to VSEPR theory, four bonding pairs with no lone pairs result in a tetrahedral electron geometry.
Therefore, the molecular geometry of CCl_4 is tetrahedral, with bond angles close to 109.5 degrees.
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