Multiple Choice
What is the electron geometry around the carbon atom in formaldehyde (CH2O)?
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12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory
Electron Geometry
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The Lewis structure for PO4^{3-} is shown. What is the electron-pair geometry around the central phosphorus atom?
A
Trigonal planar
B
Octahedral
C
Trigonal pyramidal
D
Tetrahedral
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the central atom in the PO4^{3-} ion, which is phosphorus (P).
Count the total number of electron domains (regions of electron density) around the phosphorus atom. These include bonding pairs and lone pairs of electrons.
In PO4^{3-}, phosphorus is bonded to four oxygen atoms, and there are no lone pairs on phosphorus, so there are four bonding pairs.
Use the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory to determine the electron-pair geometry based on the number of electron domains. Four electron domains correspond to a tetrahedral electron-pair geometry.
Conclude that the electron-pair geometry around the central phosphorus atom in PO4^{3-} is tetrahedral.
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