1. Draw the Lewis Structure:
* Carbon has 4 valence electrons.
* Chlorine has 7 valence electrons.
* There are a total of 32 valence electrons (4 from carbon + 7 from each chlorine).
* Carbon forms 4 single bonds with the chlorine atoms.
2. Count the Electron Domains:
* Each single bond counts as one electron domain.
* Carbon has 4 electron domains.
3. Relate Electron Domains to Hybridization:
* 4 electron domains = sp³ hybridization
Therefore, the hybridization of the central carbon atom in CCl₄ is sp³.
