Question

Methane (CH4) and the perchlorate ion (ClO4â) are both described as tetrahedral. Methane and the perchlorate ion are both described as tetrahedral. What does this indicate about their bond angles?

a. Bond angles in the methane molecule are greater than those in the perchlorate ion.
b. Bond angles in the perchlorate ion are greater than those in the methane molecule.
c. Bond angles in the methane molecule and in the perchlorate ion are approximately equal

Answer 1

c

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer would be that the bond angles in the methane molecule and in the perchlorate ion are approximately equal.

A tetrahedral shape or geometry means both molecules are sp3 hybridized with the hydrogen atoms and the oxygen ions surrounding the central carbon and chlorine atoms respectively being as far away from one another as possible. This results in an approximate angle of 109.5 degrees in both molecules.

The correct option is c.