222k views
3 votes
When a central atom has 4 "things" attached to it, that atom can take 3 different geometries: ?

User Govin
by
8.7k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

With four electron groups around a central atom, the molecule usually adopts a tetrahedral geometry if all groups are atoms, but other shapes like trigonal pyramidal or bent can form if there are lone pairs or double bonds.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a central atom has four "things" (electron groups) attached to it, it can exhibit different shapes based on the actual constituents attached to these electron groups. In a condition where there are four atoms and no lone pairs bonded to the central atom, the molecule typically adopts a tetrahedral geometry, such as in methane (CH4).

In situations where there are lone pairs involved, or a combination of double bonds and atoms, the geometry can differ, resulting in structures like trigonal pyramidal or bent

User Lawrence Barsanti
by
7.8k points