Multiple Choice
What is the electron geometry for a molecule with two regions of high electron density (rheds) surrounding the central atom?
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12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory
Electron Geometry
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What is the electron geometry around each fluorine atom in an F2 molecule?
A
Trigonal planar
B
Bent
C
Tetrahedral
D
Linear
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the molecular structure of the F2 molecule. Since it consists of two fluorine atoms bonded together, it is a diatomic molecule.
Recall that electron geometry is determined by the regions of electron density (bonding and lone pairs) around the atom in question. Each fluorine atom in F2 has one single bond and three lone pairs of electrons.
Count the total regions of electron density around each fluorine atom. There is 1 bonding pair (the F-F bond) and 3 lone pairs, making a total of 4 regions of electron density.
Use the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory to determine the electron geometry based on 4 regions of electron density. According to VSEPR, 4 regions correspond to a tetrahedral electron geometry.
Understand that while the electron geometry around each fluorine atom is tetrahedral, the overall shape of the F2 molecule is linear because it is just two atoms bonded in a straight line.
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