Question

Use the concept of valence bond theory (VBT) to answer the following question.

i) Write the ground state of CH4 molecule;  

ii) Write the excited state of CH4 molecule;

iii) Identify the type of hybridization;

iv) Show the overlapping of bonds for sigma bond formation.

Answer 1

i. ) In a tetravalent molecule, four outer atoms are bonded to a central atom. Perhaps the most common and important example of this bond type is methane, CH₄.

ii.) In CH4, the electronic configuration of Carbon in its ground state is $[He]2s^2 2p^2$ which in excited state becomes $[He]2s^1 2p_x^1 2p_y^1 2p_z^1$ .

iii.) The type of hybridization is $sp^3$

iv.)