Everything Science Grade 11

CHAPTER 1. ATOMICCOMBINATIONS 1.10

Example 13: Molecular shape I

QUESTION

Determine the shape ofa molecule of O 2

SOLUTION

Step 1 : Draw the molecule using Lewis notation

O O××

××××

••

••••

Step 2 : Count the number of electron pairs around thecentral atom

There are two electron pairs.

Step 3 : Determine the basic geometry of the molecule

Since there are two electron pairs, the moleculemust be linear.

Example 14: Molecular shape II

QUESTION

Determine the shape ofa molecule of BF 3

SOLUTION

Step 1 : Draw the molecule using Lewis notation

F B F

F

••••

••

ו

ו•× ••

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••

••

••

••