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Determine the molecular geometries of the following molecule:
CH₂Cl₂

User SimoAmi
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Final answer:

The molecular geometry of CH₂Cl₂ is tetrahedral.

Step-by-step explanation:

The approximate molecular geometry of CH₂Cl₂ is tetrahedral.

In CH₂Cl₂, the carbon atom is bonded to two hydrogen atoms and two chlorine atoms. The carbon atom has four electron groups: two bonding pairs and two lone pairs. According to VSEPR theory, the electron groups repel each other and tend to arrange themselves in a way that maximizes the distance between them.

Since the electron groups in CH₂Cl₂ are all bonding pairs and they repel each other equally, they push each other apart and form a tetrahedral arrangement around the central carbon atom. The molecule has a bent shape, with a bond angle of approximately 109.5°.

User Justina
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