Question

A tetrahedral molecule, $X{Y}_4$, would be formed if X were using in which of the following orbital hybridization.

• A. $p^2$
• B. $s^2$
• C. sp
• D. $s{p}^2$
• E. $s{p}^3$

Answer 1

Answer: (E)

$s{p}^3$

A tetrahedral molecule, $X{Y}_4$, would be formed if X were using in $s{p}^3$ orbital hybridization.
The central atom X will have 4 bond pairs and zero lone pairs of electrons. These will occupy four $s{p}^3$ hybrid orbitals. This results in tetrahedral geometry.