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12 grade chemistry others

Find the number of planes of symmetry in CCl4 molecule: A. 6 B. 5 C. 7 D. 4






Profile image of Aniket Singh
1 Year agoGrade
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1 Answer

Profile image of Askiitians Tutor Team
1 Year ago

The molecule \(\text{CCl}_4\) (carbon tetrachloride) has a **tetrahedral geometry**. The central carbon atom is bonded to four chlorine atoms, each placed at the corners of a regular tetrahedron.

### What is a plane of symmetry?
A **plane of symmetry** is an imaginary plane that divides a molecule into two halves such that one half is the mirror image of the other.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Tetrahedral Geometry**:
In \(\text{CCl}_4\), the central carbon atom is surrounded symmetrically by four chlorine atoms at equal angles (109.5°), forming a regular tetrahedron.

2. **Identifying Planes of Symmetry**:
- Each plane of symmetry passes through the central carbon atom and divides the molecule into two equal halves.
- There are **six possible planes of symmetry** in a tetrahedral structure. These planes divide the molecule through various combinations of atoms or bonds, cutting through the central carbon and bisecting two opposite chlorine atoms in different ways.

Thus, the number of planes of symmetry in \(\text{CCl}_4\) is **6**.

### Answer: **A. 6**