Question

question 33 (1 point)
what is the hybridization of either carbon in c₂h₂, and what is the molecular geometry?
a) sp²; trigonal planar
b) sp²; tetrahedral
c) sp³; tetrahedral
d) sp³; linear
e) sp; linear

Explanation:

• For \(C_2H_2\) (acetylene), the Lewis structure is \(H - C\equiv C - H\).
• Each carbon atom forms 2 \(\sigma\) bonds (one with \(H\) and one with the other \(C\)).
• The formula for hybridization is \(H=\frac{1}{2}(V + M - C + A)\), where \(V\) is the number of valence electrons of the central atom (\(V = 4\) for \(C\)), \(M\) is the number of monovalent atoms (\(M = 1\) for \(H\)), \(C\) is the charge on the cation, and \(A\) is the charge on the anion (both \(C\) and \(A\) are \(0\) here). For \(C\) in \(C_2H_2\), \(H=\frac{1}{2}(4 + 1)= 2\). When \(H = 2\), the hybridization is \(sp\).
• For \(sp\) hybridization, the molecular geometry is linear.

Answer:

E. \(sp\); linear