Question

9)

Use VSEPR to predict the electron-pair geometry of N2.

A)

linear

B)

trigonal planar

C)

tetrahedral

D)

trigonal bipyramidal

Answer 1

tetrahedral

Explanation:

According to the valence shell electron pair repulsion theory (VSEPR) the shape of a molecule is dependent on the number of electron pairs on the valence shell of the central atom in the molecule.

The predicted electron pair geometry may sometimes differ from the molecular geometry due to the presence of lone pairs and multiple bonds.

If we consider each nitrogen atom in N2 independently, we will notice that each nitrogen atom has four regions of electron density. Hence the electron pair geometry is tetrahedral.