Name: ______________________________
Date: _____________________
28 Chemistry Review: VSEPR and Molecular Shapes
Predict which molecular shape each molecule below would take. For bent molecules, be sure
to note the bond approximate bond angle (109.5o or 120 o).
MOLECULAR GEOMETRY:
MOLECULAR GEOMETRY:
MOLECULAR GEOMETRY:
MOLECULAR GEOMETRY:
MOLECULAR GEOMETRY:
MOLECULAR GEOMETRY:
1. The diagrams above labeled Molecule 1 and Molecule 2 represent molecules with different
electron geometries. In these diagrams, A represents the central atom and X represents the
bonding groups. Which of the following is the most accurate prediction about the molecular
geometries of these molecules based on the VSEPR theory?
A
B
C
D
Both molecules will have bent molecular geometries with identical bond angles.
Molecule 1 will be trigonal pyramidal while molecule 2 will be trigonal bipyramidal.
Molecule 1 will have a bond angle less than that of molecule 2.
Both molecules will have trigonal planar electron geometries, but only molecule 2 is bent.
2. What would be the molecular geometry of the molecule shown to the
right as predicted by the valence shell electron pair repulsion theory?
A Trigonal Planar
B Tetrahedral
C Trigonal Pyramidal
D Bent
3. What molecular geometry
would be predicted for the
compound shown above
according to the VSEPR theory?
A Bent
B Trigonal planar
C Trigonal pyramidal
D Tetrahedral
4. According to the VSEPR
theory, the molecule shown
above will have which of the
following molecular
geometries?
5. What would be the molecular
geometry predicted by the
valence shell electron pair
repulsion theory for the
molecule shown above?
A Linear
B Octahedral
C Trigonal pyramidal
D Bent
A Bent (120 o)
B Tetrahedral (109.5 o)
C Trigonal planar (120 o)
D Bent (109.5 o)
6. Xenon trioxide is an incredibly unstable molecule that serves as a very
potent oxidizer in chemical reactions. Based on the Lewis structure
shown to the right, what molecular shape would be predicted for xenon
trioxide by the valence shell electron pair repulsion theory?
A Tetrahedral
B Trigonal Pyramidal
C Trigonal Planar
D Octahedral
7. The valence shell electron pair repulsion theory is used to predict the
molecular shapes of compounds. What would be the shape of the molecule
in the box to the right according to this theory?
A Trigonal Pyramidal
B Tetrahedral
C Bent
NCl3
D Trigonal Planar
8. Which of the following molecules would not be predicted to have a linear molecular
geometry according to the VSEPR theory?
A
B
C
D
9. What would be the molecular geometry of the molecule shown to the
right as predicted by the valence shell electron pair repulsion theory?
A Bent
B Trigonal Pyramidal
C Tetrahedral
D Trigonal Planar
10. The hydroxide ion (OH-) shown to the left has a tetrahedral electron
geometry with respect to oxygen. What would its molecular geometry be?
A Tetrahedral
B Trigonal Pyramidal
C Bent
11. Iodate is a polyatomic ion composed of iodine and oxygen. According to
the VSEPR theory, what would be the predicted molecular geometry of iodate?
A Trigonal planar
B Bent
C Trigonal pyramidal
D Tetrahedral
D Linear