Textbook Question
The figure that follows contains ball-and-stick drawings of three possible shapes of an AF4 molecule. (a) For each shape, give the electron-domain geometry on which the molecular geometry is based. i.
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Ch.9 - Molecular Geometry and Bonding Theories
Brown14th EditionChemistry: The Central ScienceISBN: 9780134414232
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 - Introduction: Matter, Energy, and Measurement140
- Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules, and Ions192
- Ch.3 - Chemical Reactions and Reaction Stoichiometry172
- Ch.4 - Reactions in Aqueous Solution156
- Ch.5 - Thermochemistry151
- Ch.6 - Electronic Structure of Atoms137
- Ch.7 - Periodic Properties of the Elements127
- Ch.8 - Basic Concepts of Chemical Bonding143
- Ch.9 - Molecular Geometry and Bonding Theories167
- Ch.10 - Gases147
- Ch.11 - Liquids and Intermolecular Forces97
- Ch.12 - Solids and Modern Materials129
- Ch.13 - Properties of Solutions126
- Ch.14 - Chemical Kinetics175
- Ch.15 - Chemical Equilibrium107
- Ch.16 - Acid-Base Equilibria127
- Ch.17 - Additional Aspects of Aqueous Equilibria133
- Ch.18 - Chemistry of the Environment88
- Ch.19 - Chemical Thermodynamics140
- Ch.20 - Electrochemistry137
- Ch.21 - Nuclear Chemistry99
- Ch.22 - Chemistry of the Nonmetals66
- Ch.23 - Transition Metals and Coordination Chemistry69
- Ch.24 - The Chemistry of Life: Organic and Biological Chemistry11
Brown14th EditionChemistry: The Central ScienceISBN: 9780134414232Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 9, Problem 25a
Give the electron-domain and molecular geometries for the following molecules and ions: (a) BeF2
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Determine the central atom in the molecule. In BeF2, the central atom is Beryllium (Be).
Step 2: Draw the Lewis structure of the molecule. In BeF2, Beryllium forms single bonds with two Fluorine atoms. Beryllium has 2 valence electrons, all of which are used in bonding, and Fluorine has 7 valence electrons, 6 of which are used in forming three lone pairs, and one is used in bonding.
Step 3: Determine the electron-domain geometry based on the number of electron domains (regions of high electron density). In BeF2, there are two electron domains (two single bonds), so the electron-domain geometry is linear.
Step 4: Determine the molecular geometry based on the number of bonding domains and lone pairs on the central atom. In BeF2, there are two bonding domains and no lone pairs on the central atom, so the molecular geometry is also linear.
Step 5: Summarize the electron-domain and molecular geometries. For BeF2, both the electron-domain and molecular geometries are linear.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Electron-Domain Geometry
Electron-domain geometry refers to the spatial arrangement of all electron domains (bonding and lone pairs) around a central atom in a molecule. It helps predict the overall shape of the molecule based on the number of electron domains. For example, in BeF2, there are two bonding pairs and no lone pairs, leading to a linear electron-domain geometry.
Molecular Geometry
Molecular geometry describes the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in a molecule, considering only the positions of the nuclei of the atoms. It is influenced by the electron-domain geometry but focuses solely on the atoms, excluding lone pairs. In the case of BeF2, the molecular geometry is also linear, as the two fluorine atoms are positioned opposite each other.
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VSEPR Theory
Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory is a model used to predict the geometry of individual molecules based on the repulsion between electron pairs in the valence shell of the central atom. According to VSEPR, electron pairs will arrange themselves to minimize repulsion, which helps determine both electron-domain and molecular geometries. This theory is essential for understanding the shapes of molecules like BeF2.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
How many electron domains are surrounding the central atoms which adopt the following geometries? (d) trigonal bipyramidal.
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Textbook Question
The figure that follows contains ball-and-stick drawings of three possible shapes of an AF4 molecule. (a) For each shape, give the electron-domain geometry on which the molecular geometry is based. ii.
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Textbook Question
How many nonbonding electron pairs are there in each of the following molecules: (b) HCN
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Textbook Question
The figure that follows contains ball-and-stick drawings of three possible shapes of an AF4 molecule. (c) Which of the following elements will lead to an AF4 molecule with the shape in (iii): Be, C, S, Se, Si, Xe? i.
ii.
iii.
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