Question

draw the lewis structure of ch₃oh. then determine the hybridization of the oxygen atom.

Explanation:

Step1: Determine the number of electron - groups around the oxygen atom

The oxygen atom in \(CH_3OH\) has 2 bonding pairs (with \(C\) and \(H\)) and 2 lone pairs. So, the total number of electron - groups \(= 2 + 2=4\).

Step2: Relate the number of electron - groups to hybridization

The formula for hybridization is \(hybridization = s + p\) orbitals. If the number of electron - groups \(n\):

• If \(n = 2\), hybridization is \(sp\)
• If \(n = 3\), hybridization is \(sp^{2}\)
• If \(n = 4\), hybridization is \(sp^{3}\)

Since \(n = 4\) for the oxygen atom in \(CH_3OH\), the hybridization is \(sp^{3}\)

Answer:

D. \(sp^{3}\)