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Chapter 1: Problem 67

Silicon is immediately under carbon in the Periodic Table. Predict the geometry of silane, \(\mathrm{SiH}_{4}\).

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The predicted geometry of silane (SiH4) is tetrahedral, with bond angles of about 109.5°.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the central atom and find its electronic configuration

The molecule's central atom is Silicon (Si). To find its electronic configuration, we have to look at its position in the Periodic Table. Silicon is in group 14 and has 14 electrons. The electronic configuration of Si is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p².
02

Calculate the total number of valence electrons for SiH4

Now, let's calculate the total number of valence electrons for the SiH4 molecule. Silicon has 4 valence electrons (from the 3s² 3p² orbitals), and each hydrogen atom has 1 valence electron. Since there are 4 hydrogen atoms, the total number of valence electrons in SiH4 is 4 (Si) + 4 x 1 (H) = 8.
03

Apply VSEPR theory

Next, we will apply the VSEPR theory. The basic principle of VSEPR theory is that electron pairs around a central atom will arrange themselves as far apart as possible to minimize repulsion. For SiH4, the central atom (Si) is surrounded by four bonding pairs of electrons (one for each hydrogen atom). Since there are no lone electron pairs on the central atom, the electron pairs will arrange themselves in a geometry that maximizes their separation, which, for four bonding pairs, is a tetrahedral arrangement.
04

Predict the geometry of SiH4

In a tetrahedral arrangement, the bond angles are approximately 109.5°. Therefore, based on VSEPR theory, the geometry of silane (SiH4) is predicted to be tetrahedral, with bond angles of about 109.5°.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Draw Lewis structures for these functional groups. Be certain to show all valence electrons on each. (a) Carbonyl group (b) Carboxyl group (c) Hydroxyl group (d) Ester group (e) Amide group

Draw condensed structural formulas for all compounds with the molecular formula \(\mathrm{C}_{4} \mathrm{H}_{8} \mathrm{O}\) that contain (a) A carbonyl group (there are two aldehydes and one ketone). (b) A carbon-carbon double bond and a hydroxyl group (there are eight).

Identify the atom that has each ground-state electron configuration. (a) \(1 s^{2} 2 s^{2} 2 p^{6} 3 s^{2} 3 p^{4}\) (b) \(1 s^{2} 2 s^{2} 2 p^{4}\)

Show how each chemical change leads to a stable octet. (a) Sulfur forms \(\mathrm{S}^{2-}\). (b) Magnesium forms \(\mathrm{Mg}^{2+}\).

Following is a structural formula of benzene, \(\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{6}\), which we study in Chapter 21 . (a) Using VSEPR, predict each \(\mathrm{H}-\mathrm{C}-\mathrm{C}\) and \(\mathrm{C}-\mathrm{C}-\mathrm{C}\) bond angle in benzene. (b) State the hybridization of each carbon in benzene. (c) Predict the shape of a benzene molecule. (d) Draw important resonance contributing structures.
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