Multiple Choice
What is the molecular geometry of H_2O?
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12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory
Molecular Geometry
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What is the molecular geometry of XeF_4?
A
Square planar
B
Tetrahedral
C
Trigonal bipyramidal
D
Octahedral
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the central atom and the number of valence electrons it has. Xenon (Xe) is the central atom, and it has 8 valence electrons.
Count the total number of electrons contributed by the surrounding atoms. Each fluorine (F) atom contributes 1 electron, and there are 4 fluorine atoms, so 4 electrons in total.
Calculate the total number of valence electrons around the central atom: 8 (from Xe) + 4 (from 4 F atoms) = 12 electrons, or 6 electron pairs.
Determine the number of bonding pairs and lone pairs on the central atom. Since there are 4 bonds to fluorine atoms, 4 bonding pairs are used, leaving 2 lone pairs on xenon.
Use the VSEPR theory to predict the molecular geometry. With 6 electron pairs (4 bonding + 2 lone pairs), the electron geometry is octahedral, but the molecular geometry (ignoring lone pairs) is square planar.
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