Question

the electron - pair geometry and the molecular geometry will be different when there are ______ present on the central atom. ionic charges protons lone pairs neutrons question 10 1 pts the molecular structure of the methane molecule, ch4, is______. linear trigonal planar trigonal pyramidal bent tetrahedral

Explanation:

1. For the first question, electron - pair geometry considers all electron pairs (bonding and non - bonding) around the central atom, while molecular geometry only considers the bonding pairs. Lone pairs of electrons on the central atom repel bonding pairs, causing a difference between electron - pair and molecular geometries. Ionic charges, protons, and neutrons do not directly cause this difference.
2. For the second question, in the methane molecule ($CH_4$), the carbon atom is $sp^3$ hybridized and has 4 bonding pairs of electrons with no lone pairs. The four hydrogen atoms are arranged in a tetrahedral shape around the carbon atom to minimize electron - electron repulsion.

Answer:

1. C. lone pairs
2. E. tetrahedral