Problem 69
Page 426
Section: Conceptual Problems
Chapter 10: Chemical Bonding II: Molecular Shapes, Valence Bond Theory,and Molecular Orbital Theory
Given information
Three statements are given:
a. The angle between two or more bonds is determined primarily by the repulsions between the electrons within those bonds and other (lone pair) electrons on the central atom of a molecule. Each of these electron groups (bonding electrons or lone pair electrons) will lower its potential energy by maximizing its separation from other electron groups, thus determining the geometry of the molecule.
b. The angle between two or more bonds is determined primarily by the repulsions between the electrons within those bonds. Each of these bonding electrons will lower its potential energy by maximizing its separation from other electron groups, thus determining the geometry of the molecule.
c. The geometry of a molecule is determined by the shapes of the overlapping orbitals that form the chemical bonds. Therefore, to determine the geometry of a molecule, you must determine the shapes of the orbitals involved in bonding.
Step-by-step explanation
VSEPR theory stands as Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory. It helps to predict the molecular shape or geometry of the molecule with the help of the number of bond pairs or lone pairs present in it.
According to VSEPR theory, the presence of lone pair on the central atom of a molecule causes deviation from standard molecular geometry. Thus, valence electrons provide Lewis structure, which gives an idea about electron pair geometry and hybridization.