QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
"Which type of hybridization leads to a bent molecular geometry and a tetrahedral electron domain geometry?
A. sp
B. s^2p
C. s^2p^2
D. sp^3"
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Answer
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Step 1:Let's solve this step by step:
Step 2:: Understand Molecular Geometry and Electron Domain Geometry
- Molecular geometry describes the actual shape of molecules - Electron domain geometry describes the arrangement of electron domains around the central atom - Hybridization explains the bonding and electron distribution in molecules
Step 3:: Analyze the Characteristics of Bent Geometry
- A bent molecular geometry occurs when: * There are two bonding domains * There are two non-bonding (lone pair) electron domains * The central atom has a tetrahedral electron domain geometry
Step 4:: Determine the Hybridization
- For a bent geometry with a tetrahedral electron domain, we need sp^3 hybridization - sp^3 hybridization creates four equivalent hybrid orbitals arranged tetrahedrally - When two of these orbitals form bonds and two contain lone pairs, a bent geometry results
Step 5:: Eliminate Incorrect Options
- sp hybridization would create linear geometry - s^2p and s^2p^2 are not standard hybridization types - sp^3 matches the required characteristics
Final Answer
Key Example: H_2 O (water molecule) demonstrates this perfectly: - Central oxygen atom - Two bonding domains (H-O bonds) - Two lone pairs - sp^3 hybridization - Bent molecular geometry - Tetrahedral electron domain geometry
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