Multiple Choice
In Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory, what is the key difference between electron geometry and molecular geometry around a central atom?
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10. Chemical Bonding
Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory (Simplified)
Multiple Choice
Using simplified VSEPR theory, how many electron domains (regions of electron density) are around the nitrogen atom in ?
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Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the central atom in the molecule NH3, which is nitrogen (N).
Recall that electron domains (regions of electron density) include both bonding pairs (shared electrons in bonds) and lone pairs (non-bonding electrons) around the central atom.
Count the number of bonding pairs: nitrogen in NH3 is bonded to three hydrogen atoms, so there are 3 bonding pairs.
Determine the number of lone pairs on nitrogen: nitrogen has 5 valence electrons, and after forming 3 bonds with hydrogen, 2 electrons remain as one lone pair.
Add the bonding pairs and lone pairs to find the total number of electron domains: 3 (bonding pairs) + 1 (lone pair) = 4 electron domains.
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