What is the hybridization of the central atom in methane (CH_4)?

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

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the central atom in methane (CH_4), which is carbon (C).
2. Determine the number of atoms bonded to the central atom and the number of lone pairs on it. In methane, carbon forms four single bonds with hydrogen atoms and has no lone pairs.
3. Use the steric number to find the hybridization. The steric number is the sum of bonded atoms and lone pairs around the central atom. For methane, steric number = 4 (4 bonds + 0 lone pairs).
4. Recall the hybridization corresponding to the steric number: a steric number of 4 corresponds to sp^3 hybridization.
5. Conclude that the central carbon atom in methane is sp^3 hybridized, meaning it uses one s orbital and three p orbitals to form four equivalent sp^3 hybrid orbitals.