Scribd
Upload
5 views5 pages

VSEPR Lab

The document outlines the VSEPR lab focusing on molecular geometries, including XeF₄ with a square planar shape, water (H₂O) as bent, and ammonia (NH₃) as trigonal pyramidal. It explains the differences between electron and molecular geometries, bond angles, and the effects of lone pairs on molecular shapes. Additionally, it covers hybridization, specifically sp hybridization in linear molecules like CO₂ or N₂.

Uploaded by

ariellabravo874
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
5 views5 pages

VSEPR Lab

The document outlines the VSEPR lab focusing on molecular geometries, including XeF₄ with a square planar shape, water (H₂O) as bent, and ammonia (NH₃) as trigonal pyramidal. It explains the differences between electron and molecular geometries, bond angles, and the effects of lone pairs on molecular shapes. Additionally, it covers hybridization, specifically sp hybridization in linear molecules like CO₂ or N₂.

Uploaded by

ariellabravo874
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

VSEPR Lab

Part A

Molecule Created

Formula: XeF₄

Electron Geometry: Octahedral

Molecular Geometry: Square Planar

Lewis Dot Structure: Xenon is the central atom with four Xe–F single
bonds and two lone pairs on Xe positioned opposite each other
(trans), giving six electron domains total.

Electron vs. Molecular Geometry

• Electron geometry describes the arrangement of all electron


domains (bonding pairs + lone pairs) around the central atom.
• Molecular geometry describes the arrangement of only the
bonded atoms, ignoring lone pairs.

Difference: Lone pairs take up space and affect shape but are not
counted as atoms in molecular geometry.

Bond Angles

• Bond–bond angles: 90° (and 180° across the square)


• Bond–lone pair angles: Slightly less than 90°

Explanation: Lone pairs repel more strongly than bonding pairs,


slightly compressing angles between bonds near lone pairs.

Part B
Water (H₂O)

• Electron Geometry: Tetrahedral


• Molecular Geometry: Bent
• Model bond angle: ~109.5°

Real bond angle: 104.5°

Explanation: In the real toggle, lone pair–lone pair and lone pair–
bond repulsions are stronger and unequal, compressing the H–O–H
angle below the ideal tetrahedral value.
BrF₅

• Electron Geometry: Octahedral


• Molecular Geometry: Square Pyramidal
Bond Angles: Approximately 90° and 180°

Discrepancy? A smaller discrepancy than water. BrF₅ has only one lone pair, so the
distortion is less dramatic than in water, which has two lone pairs.

Why No Discrepancy in Part A?

In XeF₄, the two lone pairs are opposite each other, balancing repulsion evenly. This
symmetry prevents significant bond angle distortion.

Part C – Ammonia (NH₃)


• Electron Geometry: Tetrahedral
• Molecular Geometry: Trigonal Pyramidal

Explanation: The electron geometry is tetrahedral because there are four electron domains
(3 bonds + 1 lone pair). The molecular geometry is trigonal pyramidal because the lone pair
is not counted as an atom, leaving three bonded atoms forming a pyramid.

Part D – Triple Bond Molecule

Molecule Created

Example: CO₂ or N₂

Hybridization

Hybridization: sp
Explanation of Hybridization

Hybridization describes how atomic orbitals mix to form bonding domains. In sp


hybridization, one s orbital and one p orbital mix to form two linear bonding domains,
resulting in a linear electron geometry with 180° bond angles.

You might also like