Question

what is the angle between the carbon - oxygen bond and one of the carbon - hydrogen bonds in the formaldehyde (ch₂o) molecule?

Explanation:

Step1: Determine the hybridization of carbon atom

In formaldehyde (\(CH_{2}O\)), the carbon atom forms 3 \(\sigma\) bonds (one with oxygen and two with hydrogens) and has no lone pairs. According to the VSEPR (Valence - Shell Electron - Pair Repulsion) theory, the hybridization of carbon is \(sp^{2}\).

Step2: Recall the bond angle for \(sp^{2}\) hybridization

For \(sp^{2}\) - hybridized atoms, the molecular geometry is trigonal planar. In a trigonal planar geometry, the bond angles are \(120^{\circ}\).

Answer:

\(120\)