Multiple Choice
What is the electron geometry of SO_3?
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12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory
Electron Geometry
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What is the electron geometry around the oxygen atom in a water (H2O) molecule?
A
Tetrahedral
B
Linear
C
Bent
D
Trigonal planar
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the central atom in the water molecule, which is oxygen (O).
Determine the number of electron groups around the oxygen atom. Oxygen in H2O has two bonded hydrogen atoms and two lone pairs of electrons, making a total of four electron groups.
Recall that electron geometry considers both bonding pairs and lone pairs of electrons around the central atom.
Use the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory to predict the electron geometry. Four electron groups around a central atom arrange themselves to minimize repulsion, which corresponds to a tetrahedral electron geometry.
Note that while the electron geometry is tetrahedral, the molecular shape (based only on atoms) is bent due to the presence of lone pairs.
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