The shape of the methane molecule and the carbon dioxide molecule are respectively
Correct answer: C. tetrahedral and linear
- A. tetrahedral and bent
- B. trigonal planar and linear
- C. tetrahedral and linear
- D. pyramidal and bent
Explanation
Methane has four bond pairs and no lone pairs, so it is tetrahedral, while the carbon in carbon dioxide has only two regions of electron density, since each double bond counts as one region, giving a linear molecule at 180 degrees. Treating a double bond as a single region is the step candidates most often miss. This is also why carbon dioxide is non polar despite its polar bonds.
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About VSEPR Theory
Valence shell electron pair repulsion theory predicts molecular shape by arranging bonding pairs and lone pairs around a central atom to minimize repulsion. Questions cover linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, trigonal bipyramidal and octahedral electron geometries, bond angles and distortions caused by lone pairs. Electron geometry is not always the same as molecular shape.
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