What molecular geometry is typical for an atom with sp3 hybridisation?

What molecular geometry is typical for an atom with sp3 hybridisation?

• A. Trigonal pyramidal
• B. Bent
• C. Tetrahedral
• D. Linear

Answer: (C)

sp3 hybridisation creates four equivalent orbitals arranged in a tetrahedral pattern to minimize repulsion between electron pairs. This means the central atom with four regions of electron density adopts bond directions toward the corners of a tetrahedron, giving bond angles of about 109.5 degrees. When all four regions are bonding, the molecular geometry is tetrahedral. If lone pairs replace some bonds, the shape can shift to trigonal pyramidal or bent, but the underlying arrangement of electron domains remains tetrahedral. Linear geometry would come from only two regions of electron density (sp), not sp3.

sp3 hybridisation creates four equivalent orbitals arranged in a tetrahedral pattern to minimize repulsion between electron pairs. This means the central atom with four regions of electron density adopts bond directions toward the corners of a tetrahedron, giving bond angles of about 109.5 degrees. When all four regions are bonding, the molecular geometry is tetrahedral. If lone pairs replace some bonds, the shape can shift to trigonal pyramidal or bent, but the underlying arrangement of electron domains remains tetrahedral. Linear geometry would come from only two regions of electron density (sp), not sp3.