Chapter 8.4, Problem 65SSC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The type of hybrid orbital and bond angle for a molecule with a tetrahedral shape needs to be identified.

Concept introduction:

The Lewis structure of an organic compound represents the bonding of atoms with lone pairs (if any). It indicates the bonds in the molecule and also the arrangement of atoms in a molecule.

The hybridization of an atom indicates the molecular geometry of a molecule. The formula to check the hybridization can be written as:

Hybridization = Number of sigma bonds + Number of lone pair

Answer to Problem 65SSC

Explanation of Solution

The tetrahedral geometry is mainly associated with ${\mathrm{sp}}^3$ hybridization. The ${\mathrm{sp}}^3$ hybridization occurs between one s and three p-orbitals of the central atom to form four ${\mathrm{sp}}^3$ hybrid orbitals which arrange themselves in a tetrahedral manner with a bond angle of 109°28’. For example in ${\text{CH}}_{\text{4}}$ molecule, the central C atom involves in ${\mathrm{sp}}^3$ hybridization with one 2s and three 2p orbitals to form four ${\mathrm{sp}}^3$ hybridized orbitals. The orbitals arrange in a tetrahedral manner to overlap with 1s orbital of four H atoms to form ${\text{CH}}_{\text{4}}$ molecule.

Conclusion

Thus, the structure of methane is represented as follows: