Why is the geometry of a molecule not always the same as the electron geometry?

Question

If possible, use a Lewis diagram of any molecule to help in your explanation.

=( please...help! =(

TheOnlyBeldin,

I never mentioned 'Heisenberg,' and never attempted to spell it until now.

O.o..

Answer 1

the electron geometry of the molecule essentially means how many total pairs of electrons are around the central atom of the molecule - it doesn't matter if they are bonding pairs or lone pairs

the geometry of the molecule (sometimes called the shape of the molecule) is primarily concerned with the bonds between the central atom and the surrounding atoms (sometimes called ligands) - although the lone pairs influence exactly where the bonding pairs can be, the shape is determined by the bonding pairs

you can't really make Lewis diagrams here, but there are many websites where you can view them, but . . .

say you have CH4 - there are 4 pairs of electrons around the C atom - all bonding pairs - the electron geometry is called tetrahedral and the shape is called tetrahedral

say you have NH3 - there are 4 pairs of electrons around the N, but only 3 of them are bonding pairs (there is 1 lone pair) - the electron geometry is still tetrahedral (4 pairs) but the shape is trigonal pyramidal (4 pairs with 3 bonds)

say you have H2O - 4 pairs with 2 bonds and 2 lone pairs - electron geometry is tetrahedral and shape is bent

hope this has been of some help

Answer 2

The hybridization and the electron geometry are 2 distinctive techniques of staring on an identical ingredient. The hybridization is involved approximately wisdom how molecular orbitals integrate to make the geometry. So i think you are able to say it rather is a deeper point of wisdom. In later chemistry courses there will be greater of a super distinction. additionally once you get to Valence Bond concept the hybridization would be greater significant.

Answer 3

Because lone pairs of electrons take up space.

For instance, NH3 has a tetrahedral arrangement of electrons about the nitrogen (there are four pairs of electrons about the nitrogen), as would CH4 or H2O. But the actual geometry of the molecule is pyramidal, because the lone pair takes up one of the four "corners" of the tetrahedron. CH4 is tetrahedral, because all four pairs about the carbon are bonding pairs, while H2O is bent, as two of the four electron pairs about the oxygen are lone pairs.

Answer 4

lewis diagrams are only to help understand the shells and so on......in reality bonding is a meld of both the lewis mold and electron clouds....... the system is, and never will be perfect, because of the hysenburg uncetrainty principle........this isn't worth questioning until you make it to higher and more sophisticated chemistry classes...

Answer 5

The same question comes up again