Q13 / 150 · MHT CET 2025 (22 Apr Shift 1) · Chemistry

Identify the correct statement regarding geometry and lone pair of electrons present in $\mathrm{CH}_4$ and $\mathrm{SiCl}_4$

  • A
    Both have same geometry with two lone pair of electrons each.
  • B
    Both have different geometry with one lone pair of electrons each.
  • Correct answer
    C
    Both have same geometry with no lone pair of electrons each.
  • D
    Both have different geometry with no lone pair of electrons each.

Solution

Using VSEPR theory to analyze molecular geometry:

For $\mathrm{CH_4}$ and $\mathrm{SiCl_4}$, both central atoms ($\mathrm{C}$ and $\mathrm{Si}$) belong to Group 14 and have 4 valence electrons, forming 4 single bonds with no remaining electrons for lone pairs. The steric number is 4 in both cases, resulting in tetrahedral geometry.

Comparing the options:

A) Incorrect: both have zero lone pairs
B) Incorrect: geometries are identical, not different
C) Correct: both exhibit tetrahedral geometry with no lone pairs
D) Incorrect: geometries are identical, not different

The correct answer is $\boxed{C}$.

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'C'.

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