Multiple Choice
According to Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory, which of the following does the theory primarily consider when predicting molecular geometry?
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12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory
Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory
Multiple Choice
According to Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory, what is the steric number (SN) of the central atom in the molecule NH3?
A
3
B
5
C
4
D
2
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the central atom in the molecule NH\_3, which is nitrogen (N).
Determine the number of atoms bonded to the central atom. In NH\_3, nitrogen is bonded to 3 hydrogen atoms.
Count the number of lone pairs of electrons on the central atom. Nitrogen in NH\_3 has 1 lone pair of electrons.
Calculate the steric number (SN) by adding the number of atoms bonded to the central atom and the number of lone pairs on it: \(\text{SN} = \text{number of bonded atoms} + \text{number of lone pairs}\).
For NH\_3, this means \(\text{SN} = 3 + 1 = 4\), which corresponds to the steric number of the central nitrogen atom.
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