Multiple Choice
What is the electron geometry of H_2O?
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12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory
Electron Geometry
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What is the electron geometry of XeF_2?
A
Linear
B
Tetrahedral
C
Trigonal bipyramidal
D
Octahedral
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the central atom and the atoms bonded to it. In XeF_2, xenon (Xe) is the central atom bonded to two fluorine (F) atoms.
Determine the total number of electron domains (regions of electron density) around the central atom. Count both bonding pairs and lone pairs of electrons on Xe.
Use the Lewis structure of XeF_2 to find the number of lone pairs on Xe. Xenon has 8 valence electrons, and each fluorine forms a single bond, using 2 electrons per bond. Calculate the remaining electrons as lone pairs.
Sum the bonding pairs and lone pairs to find the total electron domains. This total determines the electron geometry according to VSEPR theory.
Match the total number of electron domains to the corresponding electron geometry. For 5 electron domains (2 bonding pairs + 3 lone pairs), the electron geometry is trigonal bipyramidal.
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