Multiple Choice
What is the molecular geometry of POCl_3?
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12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory
Molecular Geometry
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What is the molecular geometry of ammonia (NH_3)?
A
Trigonal pyramidal
B
Bent
C
Trigonal planar
D
Tetrahedral
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the central atom in ammonia (NH_3), which is nitrogen (N).
Determine the number of valence electrons around the nitrogen atom. Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons, and each hydrogen contributes 1 electron, for a total of 8 electrons to consider.
Draw the Lewis structure of NH_3, showing nitrogen bonded to three hydrogen atoms and one lone pair of electrons on nitrogen.
Use the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory to predict the molecular geometry. Count the regions of electron density around nitrogen: three bonding pairs and one lone pair, totaling four regions.
Based on four regions of electron density with one lone pair, the molecular geometry is trigonal pyramidal, as the lone pair repels the bonding pairs, causing the shape to be a pyramid with nitrogen at the apex.
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