CHAPTER 9 QUESTIONS
Try solving these questions before viewing the narrated answers online.
1. Using VSEPR theory, deduce the geometries for I3- and BrF4+. Show all your work, and name the
shapes of both ions.
2. Carry out a VSEPR analysis of NCl3 and answer the questions a – c below.
a) The arrangement of the electron pairs (both bonding and non-bonding) around the N atom is:
b) The Cl-N-Cl bond angle(s) in NCl3 are approximately:
c) The orbital hybridization around the N atom is described as:
3. What is the hybridization of the central atom in each of the structures below?
4. Which of the following statements concerning orbital hybridization is CORRECT?
a) Water molecules are bent (V-shaped) because the oxygen atom is sp2 hybridized.
b) Six atomic orbitals must be combined to make a set of sp3d 2 hybrid orbitals.
c) For an sp3d hybridized atom with fewer than five bonding electron domains, the non-bonding
electron pairs are in the axial position(s).
d) The carbon atoms in hydrocarbons are all sp3 hybridized.
e) The carbon atoms in benzene (C6H6) are all sp hybridized.
