CHAPTER 8: Question 7

 

Simple Answers

Carbon atoms are larger than hydrogen atoms, so the repulsion between the terminal carbon atoms of a C-C-C bond angle is greater than the repulsion between the terminal carbon and hydrogen atoms in a C-C-H bond angle or between the two hydrogen atoms in a H-C-H bond angle. This causes the C-C-C angles to be greater than the C-C-H or H-C-H angles and hence to be >109o.
 

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