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Chapter 5: Problem 72

Why is it difficult to assign a single geometry to a molecule with more than one central atom?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: It is difficult to assign a single geometry to a molecule with more than one central atom because each central atom has its own electron cloud and can be surrounded by various numbers of atoms, leading to different geometries. The overall shape of such a molecule is a combination of these individual geometries, often resulting in complexity, making it challenging to assign a simple and unified geometry to the entire molecule.

Step by step solution

01

Understand molecular geometry

Molecular geometry refers to the spatial arrangement of atoms in a molecule. The shapes of molecules are determined by the electron cloud around the central atom (usually the one with the highest bonding capacity) and the repulsion between these electron clouds.
02

Consider molecules with one central atom

In a molecule with only one central atom, it is relatively straightforward to determine the geometry. The regions of electron density surrounding the central atom will repel each other, leading to a specific molecular shape. Examples include linear (CO2), bent (H2O), trigonal planar (BF3), and tetrahedral (CH4) geometries.
03

Introduce molecules with multiple central atoms

In a molecule with multiple central atoms, each central atom has its own electron cloud and may be surrounded by different numbers of atoms. This means that many possible arrangements and shapes can be formed by these individual geometries.
04

Understand why assigning a single geometry is difficult

Since each central atom has its own geometry, the overall shape of a molecule with multiple central atoms is the combination of these individual geometries. It can be quite complex and difficult to assign a single, straightforward geometry to the entire molecule. Depending on the molecule, there can also be geometrical variations caused by resonance structures or the presence of lone pair electrons.
05

Conclusive explanation

Difficulties in assigning a single geometry to a molecule with more than one central atom arise from the fact that each central atom has its own electron cloud and can be surrounded by various numbers of atoms. The overall shape of such a molecule is a combination of the individual geometries, often leading to complexity and making it challenging to assign a simple and unified geometry to the entire molecule.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

In which molecular geometry do equatorial bonding pairs of electrons repel each other more: square pyramidal or trigonal bipyramidal?

Elemental sulfur has several allotropic forms, including cyclic \(\mathrm{S}_{8}\) molecules. What is the orbital hybridization of sulfur atoms in the \(\mathrm{S}_{8}\) allotrope? The bond angles are about \(108^{\circ}.\)

To model the bonding in \(\mathrm{SF}_{6}\) gas, some chemists assume the existence of \(\mathrm{SF}_{4}^{2+}\) cations surrounded by two \(\mathrm{F}^{-}\) ions. a. Draw the Lewis structure of a \(\mathrm{SF}_{4}^{2+}\) ion. b. What are the formal charges on \(S\) and \(F\) in the structure you drew? c. What is the shape of the ion? d. Does the S atom have an expanded octet?

The Lewis structure for \(\mathrm{N}_{4} \mathrm{O},\) with the skeletal structure O-N-N-N-N, contains one \(\mathrm{N}-\mathrm{N}\) single bond, one \(\mathrm{N}=\mathrm{N}\) double bond, and one \(\mathrm{N} \equiv \mathrm{N}\) triple bond. Is the hybridization of all the nitrogen atoms the same?

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