Question

What is the bond angle of H-C-H in methane molecule?

(a) 104.5°

(b) 109.5°

(c) 108°

(d) 120°

The question was posed to me in my homework.

The origin of the question is Molecular Structure topic in portion Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure of Chemistry – Class 11

Answer 1

Correct answer is (b) 109.5°

To explain I would say: The molecule of methane i.e. CH4 had undergone sp^3 hybridization (1 s-orbital and 3 p-orbitals combine to give 4 sp^3 orbitals). It exhibits tetrahedral geometry. In tetrahedral geometry, the angle between the bonds of corner atoms and the central atom is 109.5°.