According to Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory, what is the predicted electron geometry for a molecule with 4 electron domains around the central atom?

• A. Trigonal planar
• B. Trigonal bipyramidal
• C. Linear
• D. Tetrahedral

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the number of electron domains around the central atom. In this problem, there are 4 electron domains.
2. Recall that according to VSEPR theory, electron domains are regions of electron density such as bonding pairs or lone pairs around the central atom.
3. Use the VSEPR electron domain geometry chart or rules: 2 domains correspond to linear, 3 domains to trigonal planar, 4 domains to tetrahedral, 5 domains to trigonal bipyramidal, and so on.
4. Since there are 4 electron domains, the predicted electron geometry is tetrahedral, which arranges the electron pairs as far apart as possible in three-dimensional space.
5. Confirm that the other options (trigonal planar, trigonal bipyramidal, linear) correspond to different numbers of electron domains and thus are not correct for 4 electron domains.