Chemistry: Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure Flashcards

Which has the largest bond angle?

Answer: CO2

CO2 is linear with a 180 degree bond angle, larger than the tetrahedral-derived angles of the others.

As you compress lone-pair repulsion, why is the H-N-H bond angle in ammonia (107 degrees) smaller than the ideal tetrahedral angle?

Answer: The lone pair repels bonding pairs more strongly

The lone pair on nitrogen exerts greater repulsion than bonding pairs, compressing the bond angle below 109.5 degrees.

What is the molecular geometry of phosphorus pentachloride (PCl5)?

Answer: Trigonal bipyramidal

PCl5 has five bonding pairs and no lone pairs, giving a trigonal bipyramidal geometry.

Which element commonly forms compounds that violate the octet rule by being electron-deficient?

Answer: Boron

Boron, as in BF3, often has only six electrons around it, making it electron-deficient.

What is the dominant intermolecular force between molecules of nonpolar methane (CH4)?

Answer: London dispersion forces

Nonpolar methane interacts only through weak London dispersion (induced dipole) forces.

Which bond is the most polar?

Answer: F-H

The F-H bond is most polar because fluorine has the highest electronegativity, creating the largest difference with hydrogen.

What is the hybridization of the central sulfur atom in sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)?

Answer: sp3d2

SF6 has six bonding domains, requiring sp3d2 hybridization for octahedral geometry.