QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
Determine the molecular geometry, or shape, of ClO₂.
A. octahedral
B. tetrahedral
C. trigonal bipyramidal
D. trigonal planar
E. T-shaped
F. bent
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Answer
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Step 1:Let's solve this step by step using VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory:
Step 2:: Determine the number of valence electrons
- Chlorine (Cl): 7 valence electrons - Oxygen (O): 6 valence electrons × 2 = 12 valence electrons - Total valence electrons: 7 + 12 = 19 valence electrons
Step 3:: Draw the Lewis structure
- Chlorine is the central atom - Connect two oxygen atoms to chlorine with single bonds - Distribute remaining electrons as lone pairs - Chlorine will have one lone pair - Oxygen atoms will have complete octets
Step 4:: Count electron domains around the central chlorine atom
- 2 single bonds to oxygen atoms - 1 lone pair on chlorine - Total electron domains: 3
Step 5:: Determine electron domain geometry
- 3 electron domains suggests trigonal planar electron domain geometry
Step 6:: Determine molecular geometry
- With 3 total domains (2 bonding, 1 lone pair) - This results in a bent molecular geometry
Step 7:: Verify the shape characteristics
- Lone pair causes deviation from perfect trigonal planar - Angle will be less than 120° - Shape is bent (V-shaped)
Final Answer
T-shaped The key reasoning is the presence of 3 electron domains with a lone pair, which causes the T-shaped molecular geometry of ClO₂.
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