Why The Bond Angle Of Methane Is 109 Instead Of 90?

• Insights Blog -- Browse All Articles -- Physics Articles Math Articles Education Articles Bio/Chem/Tech Articles
• Forums Chemistry Biology and Medical Earth Sciences Computer Science Computing and Technology DIY Projects
• Trending

Log in Register What's new

• Chemistry
• Biology and Medical
• Earth Sciences
• Computer Science
• Computing and Technology
• DIY Projects

Menu Log in Register Navigation More options Style variation System Light Dark Contact us Close Menu You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.

• Forums
• Other Sciences
• Chemistry

Why the bond angle of methane is 109 instead of 90?

• Thread starter Thread starter scientist91
• Start date Start date Apr 30, 2007
• Tags Tags Angle Bond Methane

Click For Summary SUMMARY

The bond angle of methane (CH4) is 109.5 degrees due to the tetrahedral arrangement of its sp3 hybrid orbitals. This geometry minimizes electron pair repulsion among the four C-H bonds, which are arranged in three-dimensional space. A bond angle of 90 degrees would lead to increased repulsion and instability, making the tetrahedral configuration the most favorable for methane's molecular structure.

PREREQUISITES

• Understanding of sp3 hybridization
• Knowledge of molecular geometry and bond angles
• Familiarity with electron pair repulsion theory
• Basic principles of three-dimensional molecular structure

NEXT STEPS

• Study the principles of VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory
• Explore the concept of hybridization in organic chemistry
• Research the tetrahedral molecular geometry in other compounds
• Learn about the stability of molecular structures and their bond angles

USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, educators, and professionals interested in molecular geometry, hybridization, and the stability of chemical compounds.

scientist91 Messages 133 Reaction score 0 I know that the sp3 hybrid orbitals form 109 angle, but why the angle is not 90. If the angle is 109 the repulsion is minimized or what? Show some comparations. Thank u. Chemistry news on Phys.org

• Versatile mechanophore detects structural damage without false alarms from heat or UV
• Understanding fuel cell catalysts: Study reveals shifting rate-limiting steps
• Smart polymers harden on demand with light or gentle heat activation

sicjeff Messages 46 Reaction score 0 I believe your problem lies in the fact that you are only looking in two dimensions. What orbital theory are you using? Valence shell theory is useless for all practical applications anyway. Andronicus1717 Messages 32 Reaction score 1 3 Dimensions Indeed, in 3d space four points equally spaced around a center point form a tetrahedron, not a square, hence your bond angle of 109.5 degrees. Kushal Messages 438 Reaction score 1 methane consists of four bonded pairs, i.e 4 C-H bonds. So as to minimize repulsion, the molecule adopts a tetrahedral shape, hence bond angle becomes 109.5. with bond angle of 90, the molecule would not be very stable.

Similar threads

Is Dragos rule evidence of hybridization theory's failure?

• Oct 24, 2020 · Replies 9 · Nov 6, 2020

Replies 9 Views 3K Why does nitrogen sp3 hybridize?

• Jan 22, 2021 · Replies 18 · Jan 23, 2021

Replies 18 Views 4K Does oxygen in water have an sp3 orbital structure?

• Dec 1, 2012 · Replies 4 · Dec 1, 2012

Replies 4 Views 4K How can there be back-bonding in PF3?

• Jul 10, 2018 · Replies 6 · Jul 11, 2018

Replies 6 Views 5K Derivation of the orbital analysis equation and its physical significance

• Oct 25, 2020 · Replies 7 · Oct 25, 2020

Replies 7 Views 1K Is the O2 bond hybridized or not? "Experts" give conflicting answers....

• Feb 15, 2021 · Replies 8 · Mar 1, 2021

Replies 8 Views 2K Why does Methane lack 90 degree angles?

• Oct 19, 2014 · Replies 4 · Oct 21, 2014

Replies 4 Views 5K Why is hybridization important in chemical bonding?

• Sep 14, 2016 · Replies 13 · Sep 18, 2016

Replies 13 Views 20K Is the Nitrogen in NH3 sp3 or sp2 + 2p ?

• Mar 8, 2020 · Replies 5 · Mar 11, 2020

Replies 5 Views 3K What is the Role of Energy in Quantum Hybridized Orbitals?

• Mar 2, 2024 · Replies 2 · Mar 27, 2024

Replies 2 Views 2K

• Forums
• Other Sciences
• Chemistry

Hot Threads

• 

  A different periodic table to ponder

  • Started by DaveE
  • Dec 4, 2025
  • Replies: 16
  • Chemistry
• 

  How would you describe briefly your own mental modeling of chemistry?

  • Started by pellis
  • Jul 29, 2025
  • Replies: 69
  • Chemistry
• G

  How to make Sodium Chlorate by Electrolysis of salt water?

  • Started by gary350
  • Oct 18, 2025
  • Replies: 20
  • Chemistry
• 

  Molecular-level explanation of macroscopic phenomena: dissolving

  • Started by dextercioby
  • Nov 13, 2025
  • Replies: 5
  • Chemistry
• J

  Solubility of MgSO47H2O in water

  • Started by JT Smith
  • Aug 8, 2025
  • Replies: 34
  • Chemistry

Recent Insights

• 

  Insights Thinking Outside The Box Versus Knowing What’s In The Box

  • Started by Greg Bernhardt
  • Oct 13, 2025
  • Replies: 26
  • Other Physics Topics
• 

  Insights Why Entangled Photon-Polarization Qubits Violate Bell’s Inequality

  • Started by Greg Bernhardt
  • Sep 29, 2025
  • Replies: 28
  • Quantum Interpretations and Foundations
• 

  Insights Quantum Entanglement is a Kinematic Fact, not a Dynamical Effect

  • Started by Greg Bernhardt
  • Sep 2, 2025
  • Replies: 22
  • Quantum Physics
• 

  Insights What Exactly is Dirac’s Delta Function? - Insight

  • Started by Greg Bernhardt
  • Sep 2, 2025
  • Replies: 33
  • General Math
• 

  Insights Relativator (Circular Slide-Rule): Simulated with Desmos - Insight

  • Started by Greg Bernhardt
  • Sep 2, 2025
  • Replies: 1
  • Special and General Relativity
• P

  Insights Fixing Things Which Can Go Wrong With Complex Numbers

  • Started by PAllen
  • Jul 20, 2025
  • Replies: 7
  • General Math

Back Top