Question

1. which molecule is an example of sp³ hybridization?

a. ethene (c₂h₄)
b. methane (ch₄)
c. phosphorus pentachloride (pcl₅)
d. acetylene (c₂h₂)

Explanation:

In methane ($CH_4$), the carbon atom forms four sigma bonds with four hydrogen atoms. The carbon atom undergoes $sp^3$ hybridization to create four equivalent hybrid orbitals for bonding. Ethene ($C_2H_4$) has $sp^2$ hybridization, phosphorus pentachloride ($PCl_5$) has $sp^3d$ hybridization, and acetylene ($C_2H_2$) has $sp$ hybridization.

Answer:

B. Methane ($CH_4$)