Multiple Choice
Which factor is primarily responsible for the bent molecular geometry of a water (H_2O) molecule?
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12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory
Molecular Geometry
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What is the molecular geometry of CCl_4?
A
Bent
B
Tetrahedral
C
Trigonal planar
D
Trigonal pyramidal
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the central atom in the molecule, which is carbon (C) in CCl_4.
Determine the number of atoms bonded to the central atom and the number of lone pairs on the central atom. Carbon forms four single bonds with chlorine atoms and has no lone pairs.
Use the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory to predict the shape. With four bonding pairs and zero lone pairs, the electron pairs arrange themselves to minimize repulsion in a tetrahedral geometry.
Recall that a tetrahedral molecular geometry has bond angles of approximately 109.5° and is symmetrical, with all four substituents equally spaced around the central atom.
Conclude that the molecular geometry of CCl_4 is tetrahedral, not bent, trigonal planar, or trigonal pyramidal.
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