Multiple Choice
What is the molecular geometry of PH3?
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12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory
Molecular Geometry
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What is the molecular geometry of H_2O?
A
Bent
B
Trigonal planar
C
Linear
D
Tetrahedral
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the central atom in the molecule H\_2O, which is oxygen (O).
Determine the number of valence electrons around the central atom. Oxygen has 6 valence electrons, and each hydrogen contributes 1 electron, for a total of 8 valence electrons.
Draw the Lewis structure of H\_2O, placing the two hydrogen atoms bonded to the oxygen atom and accounting for lone pairs on oxygen. Oxygen will have two bonding pairs and two lone pairs of electrons.
Use the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory to predict the molecular geometry. The electron pairs (bonding and lone pairs) around oxygen will arrange themselves to minimize repulsion, resulting in a tetrahedral electron pair geometry.
Since lone pairs are not visible in the molecular shape, the molecular geometry is determined by the positions of the atoms only, which leads to a bent shape for H\_2O.
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