QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
Fluoromethane has the chemical formula CH^3F. What molecular structure will fluoromethane have?
A. Tetrahedral
B. Trigonal bipyramid
C. Linear
D. Square planar
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Answer
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Step 1:Let's solve this step by step:
Step 2:: Analyze the central carbon atom
- Carbon (C) is the central atom in fluoromethane (CH^3F) - Carbon has 4 valence electrons and forms 4 bonds in this molecule
Step 3:: Determine electron configuration
- Carbon forms single bonds with: * 3 hydrogen atoms (H) * 1 fluorine atom (F)
Step 4:: Apply VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) Theory
- Total electron domains around carbon = 4 - Bonding electron domains = 4 - Lone electron pairs = 0
Step 5:: Predict molecular geometry
- With 4 electron domains and no lone pairs - Electron domains will arrange to minimize repulsion - This results in a tetrahedral arrangement
Step 6:: Confirm molecular structure
- Angle between bonds will be approximately $$109.5^\circ
- All 4 electron domains are bonding domains - This matches a tetrahedral structure
Final Answer
Tetrahedral Explanation: The tetrahedral structure minimizes electron pair repulsion and allows carbon to form stable single bonds with hydrogen and fluorine atoms in fluoromethane (CH^3F).
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