Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
After drawing the Lewis structure of BrF3, what is the ideal bond angle around the central bromine atom?
A
109.5°
B
120°
C
90° and 180°
D
104.5°
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the central atom in BrF3, which is bromine (Br), and count the total number of valence electrons from bromine and the three fluorine atoms.
Draw the Lewis structure by placing bromine in the center and connecting it to three fluorine atoms with single bonds, then distribute the remaining electrons to satisfy the octet rule, noting that bromine can have an expanded octet.
Determine the electron pair geometry around the bromine atom by counting the number of bonding pairs (3 Br-F bonds) and lone pairs on bromine (2 lone pairs), giving a total of 5 regions of electron density.
Use the VSEPR theory to predict the molecular shape based on 5 electron pairs: the electron geometry is trigonal bipyramidal, but the presence of 2 lone pairs changes the molecular shape to T-shaped.
Identify the ideal bond angles in a trigonal bipyramidal arrangement: equatorial positions have 120° angles, axial positions have 90° angles with equatorial atoms, and because the lone pairs occupy equatorial positions, the bond angles between bonded atoms are approximately 90° and 180°.