Give two possible shapes for a covalent molecule of general formula AB₂. - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question c - 2005
Question c
Give two possible shapes for a covalent molecule of general formula AB₂.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Give two possible shapes for a covalent molecule of general formula AB₂. - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question c - 2005
Step 1
Possible Shape 1: Linear
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Answer
A covalent molecule of the general formula AB₂ can have a linear shape, where the atoms are arranged in a straight line. This occurs if there are no lone pairs of electrons on the central atom, allowing the bond angles to be 180 degrees.
Step 2
Possible Shape 2: Bent (Angular)
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Answer
Another possible shape for the molecule AB₂ is bent or angular. In this case, the central atom has one or more lone pairs of electrons, which repel the bonded atoms and create an angle less than 180 degrees, typically around 120 degrees or 109.5 degrees, depending on the number of lone pairs.
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