Question detail
What is the consequence of having lone pairs in a molecule's structure?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Bonding
Question
- A. It increases the molecular weight.
- B. It alters the molecular geometry.
- C. It decreases the number of bonds.
- D. It enhances the molecule's polarity.
Answer
It alters the molecular geometry.
Explanation
Lone pairs change the arrangement of atoms in a molecule by exerting repulsive forces on bonding pairs, which modifies the molecular geometry. This alteration can significantly impact the molecule's physical properties and its behavior in chemical reactions.
Common mistake
Lone Pairs and Bond Angles
Students often overlook the impact of lone pairs on bond angles, assuming they do not affect molecular geometry.
To fix this, remember that lone pairs occupy more space than bonding pairs, causing bond angles to decrease. This is because lone pairs repel more strongly than bonding pairs, leading to a distortion in the molecular shape and ultimately affecting the predicted bond angles.
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