Which of the following has a linear molecular geometry?
Practice Questions
Q1
Which of the following has a linear molecular geometry?
BeCl2
NH3
H2O
CH4
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which of the following has a linear molecular geometry?
Correct Answer: BeCl2
Step 1: Identify the molecule in question, which is BeCl2 (Beryllium dichloride).
Step 2: Determine the number of bonding pairs of electrons in BeCl2. Beryllium (Be) forms two bonds with two chlorine (Cl) atoms, so there are two bonding pairs.
Step 3: Check for lone pairs of electrons on the central atom (Be). Beryllium has no lone pairs of electrons.
Step 4: Use the VSEPR theory (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) to predict the molecular geometry. With two bonding pairs and no lone pairs, the shape is linear.
Step 5: Conclude that BeCl2 has a linear molecular geometry.
