Molecular Geometry and Bond Angles

The video tutorial explores valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory by examining the molecular structures of carbon dioxide (CO2), formaldehyde (CH2O), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). It explains how to determine the steric number and describes the linear structure of CO2, the trigonal planar structure of CH2O, and the bent structure of SO2. The tutorial highlights the impact of lone pairs on bond angles, particularly in SO2, where the presence of a lone pair causes the bond angle to be slightly less than 120 degrees.

What is the steric number of carbon in CO2?

• 3

• 2

• 1

• 4

What is the molecular geometry of CO2?

• Bent

• Tetrahedral

• Trigonal Planar

• Linear

How many atoms are attached to the central carbon in formaldehyde?

• 2

• 1

• 4

• 3

What is the bond angle in a trigonal planar molecule like CH2O?

• 180 degrees

• 109.5 degrees

• 120 degrees

• 90 degrees

What is the steric number of sulfur in SO2?

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 5

What is the molecular geometry of SO2?

• Tetrahedral

• Trigonal Planar

• Linear

• Bent

Why is the bond angle in SO2 less than 120 degrees?

• Because of the lone pair repulsion

• Due to the presence of double bonds

• Due to resonance structures

• Because of the large size of sulfur

What is the approximate bond angle in SO2?

• 180 degrees

• 109.5 degrees

• 90 degrees

• 119 degrees

Which molecule has a trigonal planar electron arrangement but a bent molecular shape?

• SO2

• H2O

• CO2

• CH2O

What causes the bond angle in SO2 to be slightly less than 120 degrees?

• The presence of a lone pair

• The presence of a double bond

• The presence of resonance

• The presence of a triple bond