Chapter 10, Problem 10.1P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The molecular geometry of the given compound is to be identified.

Concept introduction: VSEPR theory predicts the geometry of the molecule using its electron pair surrounding the central atom.

Answer to Problem 10.1P

Solution: The molecular geometry of ${\text{CCl}}_{\text{4}}$is tetrahedral.

Explanation of Solution

The molecular geometry of the molecule is determined by the number of electron groups bonded to the central atom.

The atomic number of $\text{C}$ is $6$ .

The electronic configuration of $\text{C}$ is,

${\text{1s}}^2{\text{2s}}^2{\text{2p}}^2$

The number of valence electrons of $\text{C}$is $4$ .

The atomic number of $\text{Cl}$ is $17$ .

The electronic configuration of $\text{Cl}$is,

$\left[\text{Ne}\right]{\text{3s}}^2{\text{3p}}^5$

The number of valence electrons of $\text{Cl}$ is $7$ .

The total number of valence electrons of ${\text{CCl}}_{\text{4}}$is,

$4+4\times 7=32$

Therefore, the Lewis structure of ${\text{CCl}}_{\text{4}}$is,

Figure 1

From the figure 1, it is concluded that in the structure of ${\text{CCl}}_{\text{4}}$ , there are four bonding domains, therefore, the hybridization of ${\text{CCl}}_{\text{4}}$is ${\text{sp}}^{\text{3}}$ .

Hence, the molecular geometry of ${\text{CCl}}_{\text{4}}$is tetrahedral.

The molecular geometry of ${\text{CCl}}_{\text{4}}$is,

Figure 2

Conclusion

The molecular geometry of ${\text{CCl}}_{\text{4}}$is tetrahedral.