Refer to the following figure to answer the questions below.

-What causes the shape of the molecule shown?
A) the shape of the two p orbitals in the carbon atom
B) the shape of the one s orbital in the carbon atom
C) the shape of the sp³ hybrid orbitals of the electrons shared between the carbon and hydrogen atoms
D) hydrogen bonding configurations between the carbon and hydrogen atoms

Question

Refer to the following figure to answer the questions below.
 
-What causes the shape of the molecule shown?
A) the shape of the two p orbitals in the carbon atom 
B) the shape of the one s orbital in the carbon atom 
C) the shape of the sp³ hybrid orbitals of the electrons shared between the carbon and hydrogen atoms 
D) hydrogen bonding configurations between the carbon and hydrogen atoms

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The shape of the molecule shown is due to the sp³ hybrid orbitals of the electrons shared between the carbon and hydrogen atoms. In this hybridization, the carbon atom hybridizes one s and three p orbitals to form four sp³ hybrid orbitals, which are arranged tetrahedrally around the carbon atom. The hydrogen atoms then bond with the sp³ hybrid orbitals, resulting in a tetrahedral shape for the molecule.

Refer to the Following Figure to Answer the Questions Below