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Chapter 17: Problem 7

Describe (with a word or short phrase) the shape of each of these molecules: \(\mathrm{CH}_{4} ; \mathrm{NH}_{3} ; \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} .\)

Short Answer

Expert verified
The shape of CH4 is tetrahedral, NH3 is trigonal pyramidal, and H2O is bent or V-shaped.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the Shape of CH4

Methane (CH4) consists of four hydrogen atoms bonded to a single carbon atom. According to VSEPR theory, the repulsion between electron pairs causes molecular shapes to adjust so that the valence-electron pairs stay as far apart as possible. Here, the four hydrogen atoms will repel each other, forming a tetrahedral shape. The bond angle is 109.5 degrees.
02

Identify the Shape of NH3

Ammonia (NH3) consists of three hydrogen atoms bonded to a single nitrogen atom and one lone pair. According to the VSEPR theory, the three bonding pairs and one lone pair of electrons around the nitrogen form a tetrahedral electron-pair geometry. However, the molecular shape, which refers only to the position of the atoms, not the unshared electron pairs, is trigonal pyramidal. The bond angle is approximately 107 degrees.
03

Identify the Shape of H2O

Water (H2O) consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded to a single oxygen atom and has two lone pairs. According to the VSEPR model, the four electron pairs (two bonding pairs and two lone pairs) take a tetrahedral arrangement, but the molecular shape is bent or V-shaped. The bond angle is approximately 104.5 degrees.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Sketch a picture of the following molecules based on your models: \(\mathrm{CH}_{4} ; \mathrm{NH}_{3}\); \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} .\)

Using grammatically correct sentences, explain how the shape of a molecule can be predicted from its Lewis structure.

Individually, determine which of the following statements appears to be true. There may be more than one. Then, reach a team consensus. i) When the central atom has no lone pairs, the bond angle predicted by the Lewis structure is equal to the observed (calculated) bond angle. ii) When the central atom has one or more lone pairs, the bond angle predicted by the Lewis structure is slightly larger than the observed (calculated) bond angle. iii) When the central atom has one or more lone pairs, the bond angle predicted by the Lewis structure is slightly smaller than the observed (calculated) bond angle.
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