Question

match the molecular shapes with the lewis structures.
choices
bent
linear
trigonal pyramidal
tetrahedral
trigonal planar

Explanation:

• For the first Lewis structure (\(CH_4\)):
• The central atom \(C\) has 4 bonding pairs and 0 lone pairs. According to VSEPR theory, the molecular shape is tetrahedral.
• For the second Lewis structure (\(NH_3\)):
• The central atom \(N\) has 3 bonding pairs and 1 lone pair. The lone - pair - bond - pair repulsion causes the molecular shape to be trigonal pyramidal.
• For the third Lewis structure (\(BCl_3\)):
• The central atom \(B\) has 3 bonding pairs and 0 lone pairs. The molecular shape is trigonal planar.
• For the fourth Lewis structure (assumed to be a simple bent - like structure, e.g., \(H_2O\) - like in terms of shape concept):
• If we consider a general bent - shape case (not fully shown but from the options), a molecule with 2 bonding pairs and 2 lone pairs (or similar VSEPR - predicted bent cases) has a bent shape.
• A linear shape (e.g., \(CO_2\)) has 2 bonding pairs and 0 lone pairs on the central atom. But in the given structures, the first three are categorized as above.

Answer:

1. \(CH_4\) (first structure): tetrahedral.
2. \(NH_3\) (second structure): trigonal pyramidal.
3. \(BCl_3\) (third structure): trigonal planar.
4. (Assuming the fourth structure is a bent - type): bent.