What is the shape of the molecule with the formula AX3E?
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the shape of the molecule with the formula AX3E?
Tetrahedral
Trigonal pyramidal
Trigonal planar
Bent
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the shape of the molecule with the formula AX3E?
Correct Answer: Trigonal Pyramidal
Step 1: Identify the components of the formula AX3E. 'A' is the central atom, 'X' represents the atoms bonded to 'A', and 'E' represents a lone pair of electrons on 'A'.
Step 2: Count the number of bonding pairs. In AX3E, there are 3 'X' atoms, which means there are 3 bonding pairs.
Step 3: Count the number of lone pairs. In AX3E, there is 1 'E', which means there is 1 lone pair.
Step 4: Determine the total number of electron pairs. Add the bonding pairs (3) and the lone pairs (1) to get a total of 4 electron pairs.
Step 5: Use the VSEPR theory to predict the shape. With 4 electron pairs, the basic shape is tetrahedral, but the presence of 1 lone pair changes the shape.
Step 6: Identify the final shape. The 3 bonding pairs and 1 lone pair create a trigonal pyramidal shape.
