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scientist91
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I know that the sp3 hybrid orbitals form 109 angle, but why the angle is not 90. If the angle is 109 the repulsion is minimized or what? Show some comparations. Thank u.
The bond angle of methane is 109.5 degrees, not 90 degrees, due to the repulsion between the bonding and non-bonding electron pairs on the central carbon atom. This repulsion causes the molecule to adopt a tetrahedral shape, with bond angles of approximately 109.5 degrees.
The tetrahedral shape of methane allows for equal distribution of charge and results in a nonpolar molecule. This makes methane relatively unreactive and insoluble in water.
No, the bond angle of methane is not affected by external factors such as temperature or pressure. It is solely determined by the repulsion between the electron pairs on the central carbon atom.
In some cases, the bond angle in methane may deviate slightly from 109.5 degrees due to the presence of different substituents or steric hindrance. However, the overall tetrahedral shape is still maintained.
The bond angle of methane can be measured using techniques such as X-ray crystallography or molecular orbital calculations. These methods involve analyzing the molecular structure and the distances between atoms in the molecule.