What is the shape of the molecule CTe2? Please help ASAP
To determine the shape of a molecule, you need to consider its molecular geometry. In the case of CTe2, it consists of one carbon atom (C) and two tellurium atoms (Te). To determine the shape, we can use the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory.
In the VSEPR theory, we consider the electron pairs around the central atom. The electron pairs (both bonding and non-bonding) repel each other, causing the atoms to arrange in a way that minimizes repulsion.
For CTe2, carbon (C) has four valence electrons, while tellurium (Te) has six valence electrons each. This gives us a total of 4 + 2 + 2 = 8 valence electrons.
To form the molecule, carbon will form two double bonds with each tellurium atom. Each double bond consists of a sigma bond and a pi bond. The remaining four valence electrons will be lone pairs on each tellurium atom.
The arrangement of electron pairs around the central carbon atom can be determined using the AXE method:
A - Central atom (Carbon)
X - Number of bonded atoms to the central atom (2 tellurium atoms)
E - Number of lone pair electrons on the central atom (2 lone pairs on each tellurium atom)
Based on this, the electron pair arrangement for CTe2 is AX2E2 (linear electron pair geometry). This means that the atoms and lone pairs will arrange themselves in a linear geometry, with the central carbon atom bonded to two tellurium atoms, and each tellurium atom having two lone pairs.
Therefore, the shape of CTe2 is linear.