Apart from tetrahedral geometry, another possible geometry for CH_(4) isSquare planar With four H atoms at the corners of the square and C atom at its centre. Explain why CH_(4) is not square planar?

Apart from tetrahedral geometry, another possible geometry for CH_(4)

1.	Apart from tetrahedral geometry, another possible geometry for CH_(4) isSquare planar With four H atoms at the corners of the square and C atom at its centre. Explain why CH_(4) is not square planar?
Answer» SOLUTION :ELECTRONIC configuration of carbon atom: C : `SIGMA1S^(2)2s^(2)2p^(2)` In the excited state, the orbital picture of carbon can be represented as: Hence. carbon atom undergoes `sp^(3)` hybridisation in `CH_(4)` molecule and takes tetrahedral shape. ror a SQUARE planar shape, the hybridisation of the central atom has to be `dsp^(3)`. However, an atom of carbon does not have d-orbitals to undergo `dsp^(3)` hybridisation. Hence, the structure of `CH_(4)`is tetrahedral.