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Difficulty: MediumMolecular Shapes, VSEPR Theory, and Hybridization

Match each chemical species to its correct molecular geometry and central atom hybridization state.

  • BeCl2BeCl_2Linear shape, spsp hybridization
  • BF3BF_3Trigonal planar shape, sp2sp^2 hybridization
  • CH4CH_4Tetrahedral shape, sp3sp^3 hybridization
  • SF6SF_6Octahedral shape, sp3d2sp^3d^2 hybridization

Answer

BeCl2BeCl_2 matches Linear shape, spsp hybridization; BF3BF_3 matches Trigonal planar shape, sp2sp^2 hybridization; CH4CH_4 matches Tetrahedral shape, sp3sp^3 hybridization; SF6SF_6 matches Octahedral shape, sp3d2sp^3d^2 hybridization.
Each chemical species is matched to its corresponding molecular geometry and central atom hybridization based on the number of sigma bonds and lone pairs present on the central atom.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine steric number for BeCl2BeCl_2
BeBe forms 2 single bonds with 0 lone pairs, giving a steric number of 2 (spsp hybridization, linear shape).
Two electron domains arrange at 180° to minimize electron pair repulsion.
2
Determine steric number for BF3BF_3
BB forms 3 single bonds with 0 lone pairs, giving a steric number of 3 (sp2sp^2 hybridization, trigonal planar shape).
Three electron domains arrange at 120° in a single plane.
3
Determine steric number for CH4CH_4
CC forms 4 single bonds with 0 lone pairs, giving a steric number of 4 (sp3sp^3 hybridization, tetrahedral shape).
Four electron domains arrange symmetrically in three-dimensional space at 109.5°.
4
Determine steric number for SF6SF_6
SS forms 6 single bonds with 0 lone pairs, giving a steric number of 6 (sp3d2sp^3d^2 hybridization, octahedral shape).
Six electron domains arrange symmetrically at 90° axial/equatorial positions.

Key Concept

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory and Orbital Hybridization
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Molecular Shapes, VSEPR Theory, and Hybridization

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