What causes a molecule to have a bent shape instead of linear?A.Lone electron pairs pushing the bonding electrons out of lineB.Repulsion between protons forcing the bonding atoms out of lineC.Intermolecular forces pushing the atoms out of line and toward each otherD.Attractions between the bonding atoms pulling the bonds toward each otherSUBMITarrow_backPREVIOUS
Question
What causes a molecule to have a bent shape instead of linear?A.Lone electron pairs pushing the bonding electrons out of lineB.Repulsion between protons forcing the bonding atoms out of lineC.Intermolecular forces pushing the atoms out of line and toward each otherD.Attractions between the bonding atoms pulling the bonds toward each otherSUBMITarrow_backPREVIOUS
Solution
The shape of a molecule is determined by the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory. According to this theory, electron pairs in the valence shell of an atom repel each other and try to get as far apart as possible, thus determining the shape of the molecule.
In the case of a molecule having a bent shape instead of a linear one, it is due to the presence of lone pairs of electrons on the central atom. These lone pairs occupy more space than bonding pairs and hence, push the bonding pairs closer together, causing the molecule to have a bent or V-shaped structure.
So, the correct answer to your question is A. Lone electron pairs pushing the bonding electrons out of line.
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