Textbook Question
(a) An AB2 molecule is linear. How many nonbonding electron pairs are around the A atom from this information?
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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 Measurement177
- Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules, and Ions231
- Ch.3 - Chemical Reactions and Reaction Stoichiometry216
- Ch.4 - Reactions in Aqueous Solution189
- Ch.5 - Thermochemistry175
- Ch.6 - Electronic Structure of Atoms168
- Ch.7 - Periodic Properties of the Elements150
- Ch.8 - Basic Concepts of Chemical Bonding177
- Ch.9 - Molecular Geometry and Bonding Theories200
- Ch.10 - Gases179
- Ch.11 - Liquids and Intermolecular Forces113
- Ch.12 - Solids and Modern Materials154
- Ch.13 - Properties of Solutions157
- Ch.14 - Chemical Kinetics199
- Ch.15 - Chemical Equilibrium128
- Ch.16 - Acid-Base Equilibria164
- Ch.17 - Additional Aspects of Aqueous Equilibria163
- Ch.18 - Chemistry of the Environment105
- Ch.19 - Chemical Thermodynamics164
- Ch.20 - Electrochemistry171
- Ch.21 - Nuclear Chemistry122
- Ch.22 - Chemistry of the Nonmetals82
- Ch.23 - Transition Metals and Coordination Chemistry79
- Ch.24 - The Chemistry of Life: Organic and Biological Chemistry16
Brown14th EditionChemistry: The Central ScienceISBN: 9780134414232Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 9, Problem 13c
(c) Is XeF2 linear
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the central atom in the molecule XeF2, which is Xenon (Xe).
Determine the number of valence electrons for Xenon and Fluorine. Xenon has 8 valence electrons, and each Fluorine atom contributes 7 valence electrons.
Arrange the electrons to form bonds and lone pairs. In XeF2, Xenon forms two single bonds with two Fluorine atoms, using 4 electrons. The remaining 4 electrons on Xenon are arranged as two lone pairs.
Apply the VSEPR theory to predict the molecular geometry. The presence of two bonding pairs and two lone pairs on the central atom (Xe) leads to a linear arrangement to minimize electron pair repulsion.
Conclude that the molecular geometry of XeF2 is linear due to the arrangement of electron pairs around the central Xenon atom.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Molecular Geometry
Molecular geometry refers to the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within a molecule. It is determined by the number of bonding pairs and lone pairs of electrons around the central atom, which influence the shape due to repulsion between electron pairs. Understanding molecular geometry is crucial for predicting the physical and chemical properties of substances.
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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, leading to specific molecular shapes, such as linear, trigonal planar, or tetrahedral.
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Hybridization
Hybridization is the concept of mixing atomic orbitals to form new hybrid orbitals that can accommodate bonding. In the case of XeF2, the xenon atom undergoes sp3d hybridization, which allows it to form two bonds with fluorine atoms while maintaining three lone pairs. This hybridization is essential for understanding the linear arrangement of the molecule.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
For each of these contour representations of molecular orbitals, identify (c) whether the MO is bonding or antibonding (i)
Textbook Question
(b) How many nonbonding electrons surround the Xe in XeF2?
Textbook Question
(a) Boron trichloride 1BCl32 and the carbonate ion 1CO3 2- 2 are both described as trigonal. What does this indicate about their bond angles?
Textbook Question
(b) The PCl3 molecule is trigonal pyramidal, while ICl3 is T-shaped. Which of these molecules is flat?
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Textbook Question
How does a trigonal pyramid differ from a tetrahedron so far as molecular geometry is concerned?
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