According to VSEPR theory, in which species do all the atoms lie in the same plane? 1. CH3^+ 2. CH3^ — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: Determine the hybridization and shape of CH3^+ and CH3^- using VSEPR theory. CH3^+ has 3 bond pairs and 0 lone pairs on carbon (sp2 hybridization), resulting in a trigonal planar geometry where all 4 atoms lie in the same plane. Step 2: CH3^- has 3 bond pairs and 1 lone pair on carbon (sp3 hybridization), resulting in a trigonal pyramidal geometry where the carbon atom does not lie in the plane of the three hydrogen atoms. Step 3: Therefore, only in CH3^+ do all the atoms lie in the same plane, which corresponds to option (a).