Question

select the single best answer in each part that describes the molecular geometry around each of the three central atoms in the $ch_{3}ch_{2}nh_{2}$ molecule. part 1 of 3 carbon at the center of $h_{3}c-$ bent trigonal planar trigonal pyramidal tetrahedral part 2 of 3 carbon at the center of $-ch_{2}-$ bent trigonal planar trigonal pyramidal tetrahedral

Explanation:

For the carbon at the center of \(H_3C-\) (Part 1):

• Carbon has 4 valence electrons. In \(CH_3-\), it forms 4 single bonds (3 with \(H\) and 1 with the adjacent \(C\)). According to VSEPR (Valence - Shell Electron - Pair Repulsion) theory, when a central atom has 4 bonding pairs and no lone pairs, the molecular geometry is tetrahedral.

For the carbon at the center of \(-CH_2-\) (Part 2):

• This carbon also has 4 valence electrons. It forms 4 single bonds (2 with \(H\) and 2 with adjacent atoms (\(C\) and \(N\) in the full \(CH_3CH_2NH_2\) molecule)). With 4 bonding pairs and no lone pairs, by VSEPR theory, the molecular geometry is tetrahedral.

Answer:

Part 1: tetrahedral
Part 2: tetrahedral