According to VSEPR theory, what is the shape of the molecule with the formula AX2E2?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
According to VSEPR theory, what is the shape of the molecule with the formula AX2E2?
Linear
Bent
Trigonal planar
Tetrahedral
AX2E2 indicates two bonding pairs and two lone pairs, resulting in a bent shape.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: According to VSEPR theory, what is the shape of the molecule with the formula AX2E2?
Solution: AX2E2 indicates two bonding pairs and two lone pairs, resulting in a bent shape.
Steps: 6
Step 1: Identify the formula AX2E2. Here, 'A' is the central atom, 'X' represents bonding pairs, and 'E' represents lone pairs.
Step 2: Count the number of bonding pairs (X) and lone pairs (E). In AX2E2, there are 2 bonding pairs and 2 lone pairs.
Step 3: According to VSEPR theory, the arrangement of electron pairs around the central atom determines the shape of the molecule.
Step 4: With 2 bonding pairs and 2 lone pairs, the electron pair geometry is tetrahedral.
Step 5: However, the shape of the molecule is determined by the positions of the atoms only, not the lone pairs. The lone pairs push the bonding pairs closer together.
Step 6: Therefore, the resulting molecular shape is bent (or angular) due to the repulsion between the lone pairs.
