Question

Why does CH4 and H2O have the same bonds but different molecular shapes?

A) Different electronegativities result in varied shapes.
B) Bond angles are determined by molecular weight.
C) Molecular shapes depend on the number of atoms.
D) Shapes are influenced by the arrangement of atoms.

Answer 1

CH4 and H2O differ in molecular shapes because of the arrangement of atoms and the repulsion between lone pairs of electrons in water, which leads to a bent shape compared to methane's tetrahedral shape.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reason CH4 (methane) and H2O (water) have different molecular shapes despite having the same bonds is due to the influence of lone pairs and the arrangement of atoms around the central atom. Methane has a central carbon atom with four hydrogens symmetrically arranged around it, resulting in a tetrahedral shape. In contrast, water has two hydrogen atoms and two lone pairs of electrons around the oxygen atom, leading to a bent shape due to repulsion between the lone pairs of electrons that reduces the bond angle to 104.5°, as opposed to methane's tetrahedral 109.5°.