What is the molecular geometry surrounding the carbon atom in CI4? (This compound contains the elements caron and iodine, not chlorine.)

trigonal planer
pyramidal (trigonal pyramidal)
bent (angular)
linear
tetrahedral

I assume you means carbon and not caron.

CI4 is tetrahedral.

To determine the molecular geometry surrounding the carbon atom in CI4 (carbon tetraiodide), we'll need to use the VSEPR theory.

First, let's determine the number of electron groups around the carbon atom. In CI4, there are four iodine atoms bonded to the central carbon atom. Each iodine atom contributes one electron to the bond, and the carbon atom itself has four valence electrons. So, there are a total of eight electrons around the carbon atom (four from the four iodine atoms and four from the carbon atom).

Next, we determine the electron group geometry by considering both the bonding and nonbonding electron pairs. Since there are no lone pairs on the carbon atom in CI4, the electron group geometry is the same as the molecular geometry.

Finally, we can determine the molecular geometry based on the number of electron groups. In the case of CI4, we have four electron groups, which corresponds to a tetrahedral molecular geometry. Therefore, the correct answer is tetrahedral.

To determine the molecular geometry surrounding the carbon atom in CI4, we first need to determine its electron geometry.

Step 1: Draw the Lewis structure of CI4.
In CI4, carbon (C) has four iodine (I) atoms bonded to it. Each iodine atom has seven valence electrons, while carbon has four valence electrons. So, the Lewis structure would look like this:

I I
\ /
C
/ \
I I

Step 2: Determine the electron geometry.
The carbon atom has four regions of electron density, which indicates a tetrahedral electron geometry.

Step 3: Determine the molecular geometry.
The molecular geometry is determined by considering the number of bonded and lone pairs of electrons around the central atom. In CI4, there are no lone pairs on the carbon atom, only four bonded pairs.

Since all bonded pairs are bonded to identical atoms (i.e., iodine), the repulsion between the iodine atoms pushes them as far apart as possible, resulting in a symmetric tetrahedral arrangement. The molecular geometry is also tetrahedral.

Therefore, the molecular geometry surrounding the carbon atom in CI4 is tetrahedral.

linear