Multiple Choice
What is the molecular geometry of BF_3?
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12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory
Molecular Geometry
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What is the molecular geometry of a molecule with 3 single bonds and 1 lone pair around the central atom?
A
Trigonal planar
B
Tetrahedral
C
Trigonal pyramidal
D
Bent
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the total number of electron groups (bonding and lone pairs) around the central atom. Here, there are 3 single bonds and 1 lone pair, so a total of 4 electron groups.
Determine the electron group geometry based on the total number of electron groups. For 4 electron groups, the electron geometry is tetrahedral.
Recognize that molecular geometry describes the shape formed by only the atoms (bonding groups), not the lone pairs.
Since there are 3 bonded atoms and 1 lone pair, the molecular geometry is derived by removing the lone pair from the tetrahedral electron geometry, resulting in a trigonal pyramidal shape.
Conclude that the presence of the lone pair distorts the shape from tetrahedral to trigonal pyramidal, which matches the correct answer.
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