During the complete combustion of methane CH4, what change in hybridisation does the carbon atom und — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: Write down the reaction equation for the complete combustion of methane: CH4 + 2O2 -> CO2 + 2H2O. Step 2: In methane (CH4), Carbon forms 4 single bonds, which corresponds to sp3 hybridization. In carbon dioxide (CO2), Carbon forms 2 double bonds, which corresponds to sp hybridization. Step 3: Therefore, the hybridization of the carbon atom changes from sp3 to sp.