88.6k views
2 votes
What’s the structure of methane, CH4? Is it polar or nonpolar?

A. Trigonal planar, polar
B. Tetrahedral, nonpolar
C. Tetrahedral, polar
D. Trigonal planar, nonpolar

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

B. Tetrahedral, nonpolar

The structure of methane (CH4) is tetrahedral, and due to its symmetrical shape, it is a nonpolar molecule.

Step-by-step explanation:

The structure of methane, CH4, is tetrahedral with a central carbon atom (C) bonded to four hydrogen atoms (H). The hydrogen atoms are situated at the corners of a tetrahedron, with the carbon atom at the center.

This spatial arrangement causes the hydrogen atoms to be as far apart as possible, leading to a bond angle of 109.5° between them. Due to the symmetrical distribution of the hydrogen atoms around the carbon atom, methane is a nonpolar molecule.

Therefore, the correct answer to whether methane is polar or nonpolar and its geometric structure is option B: Tetrahedral, nonpolar.

User Niobos
by
8.5k points