Multiple Choice
Which of the following sets of Miller indices corresponds to a plane that intersects the x-axis at 1, the y-axis at infinity, and the z-axis at 1 in a cubic unit cell?
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12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory
Molecular Geometry
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What is the molecular geometry of SiCl_4?
A
Trigonal pyramidal
B
Tetrahedral
C
Trigonal planar
D
Square planar
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the central atom in the molecule, which is silicon (Si) in SiCl_4.
Determine the number of valence electrons around the central atom. Silicon has 4 valence electrons, and each chlorine atom contributes 1 electron for bonding.
Count the total number of electron pairs around the central atom. Since SiCl_4 has four chlorine atoms bonded to silicon, there are 4 bonding pairs and no lone pairs on silicon.
Use the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory to predict the molecular geometry. Four bonding pairs with no lone pairs arrange themselves to minimize repulsion, resulting in a tetrahedral shape.
Conclude that the molecular geometry of SiCl_4 is tetrahedral, not trigonal pyramidal, trigonal planar, or square planar.
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