Molecular shapes (e.g. CH₄, NH₃, H₂O, BF₃) : Practice Questions

According to the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory, which of the following molecules has a linear molecular shape?

According to VSEPR theory, which of the following statements incorrectly describes one of the molecules \(CH_4\), \(NH_3\), \(H_2O\), or \(BF_3\)?

Bromine pentafluoride, \(BrF_5\), is an interhalogen compound. Applying the VSEPR theory, determine the electron domain geometry and molecular shape of \(BrF_5\). Which of the following statements also correctly describes the characteristic F-Br-F bond angles in this molecule and the primary reason for any deviation from ideal angles?

Which of the following molecules is correctly matched with its molecular shape?

Which of the following species has the same molecular geometry as the hydronium ion (\(H_3O^+\))?

Methane (\(CH_4\)) and boron trifluoride (\(BF_3\)) are molecules with different geometries.

(a) Name the molecular shape of methane.

(b) Draw a three-dimensional diagram for the boron trifluoride molecule.

(c) State the \(F-B-F\) bond angle in boron trifluoride.

Carbon tetrachloride (\(CCl_4\)) and nitrogen trichloride (\(NCl_3\)) are covalent compounds with different molecular symmetries despite having similar boiling points.

(a) State the number of electron domains and lone pairs on the central atom for both \(CCl_4\) and \(NCl_3\).

(b) Based on the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory, predict the molecular shape and the approximate bond angle for each molecule.

(c) While the C-Cl and N-Cl bonds are both polar, \(CCl_4\) is a non-polar molecule whereas \(NCl_3\) is a polar molecule. Explain this difference in terms of their molecular geometry and the cancellation of dipole moments.