Question

What determines the electron-group geometry of a molecule? What determines the molecular geometry of a molecule? Why can-electron group geometry differ from molecular geometry? sidenote:please answer every part of the question

Answer 1

1. What determines the electron group geometry of a molecule?

The electronegativity and the number of elements bonding with the central atom determines the electron group geometry of a molecule.

2. What determines the molecular geometry of a molecule?

The molecular geometry refers to three dimensional arrangement of atoms in a molecule. Molecular geometry also refers to molecular structure. To determine molecular geometry, we need to know:

a. Lewis electron dot structure. We can know the bond pairs and lone pair with Lewis electron dot structures. It tells us about the valance electrons.

b. Apply VSPER theory to have molecular geometry of the molecule.

3. Why can-electron group geometry differ from molecular geometry?

As the atoms bond to the central atom to form a molecule, they maximise the distance between the bonding electrons.

1. When no lone pair is available, electronic geometry is same as molecular geometry.

2. When lone pair ( a set of 2 unshared valance electrons) is present, it occupies more space than the bonding electrons and bends the shape of molecule.

In this case, the electronic geometry confirms to the predicted shape.