During the complete combustion of methane `CH_(4)`, what change in hybridisation does the carbon atom undergo ?

Options

A. `sp^(3)` to sp
B. `sp^(3) " to " sp^(2)`
C. `sp^(2)` to sp
D. `sp^(2) " to " sp^(3)`

Answer

To determine the change in hybridization of the carbon atom during the complete combustion of methane (CH₄), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the hybridization of carbon in methane (CH₄)
- In methane, the carbon atom is bonded to four hydrogen atoms.
- To form these four bonds, the carbon undergoes sp³ hybridization.
- This is because it has four bond pairs and no lone pairs (4 bond pairs + 0 lone pairs = sp³).

### Step 2: Write the balanced equation for the combustion of methane
- The complete combustion of methane can be represented by the following equation:
\[ CH₄ + 2O₂ \rightarrow CO₂ + 2H₂O \]
- In this reaction, methane reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water.

### Step 3: Identify the hybridization of carbon in carbon dioxide (CO₂)
- In carbon dioxide, the carbon atom forms two double bonds with two oxygen atoms.
- To accommodate these double bonds, the carbon undergoes sp hybridization.
- This is because it has two bond pairs and no lone pairs (2 bond pairs + 0 lone pairs = sp).

### Step 4: Determine the change in hybridization
- The carbon atom changes from sp³ hybridization in methane to sp hybridization in carbon dioxide.
- Therefore, the change in hybridization is from sp³ to sp.

### Final Answer:
The carbon atom undergoes a change in hybridization from sp³ in methane (CH₄) to sp in carbon dioxide (CO₂) during the complete combustion of methane.

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