VSEPR Theory and Bond Hybridization

Vocabulary flashcards covering VSEPR theory, electron domain geometries, molecular geometries, bond angles, hybridization types, and orbital rules.

Bond Hybridization

The assumption that atomic orbitals on an atom mix to form hybrid orbitals to explain molecular geometries.

s orbital

An original atomic orbital characterized by a spherical shape.

p orbital

An original atomic orbital characterized by a dumbbell shape.

Hybrid Orbital Count Rule

The principle that the number of hybrid orbitals on an atom equals the number of atomic orbitals that are mixed.

Superscript Sum Rule

The general rule stating that the sum of the superscripts on the hybrid orbitals equals the number of electron clouds around the central atom.

Linear Geometry (2 domains)

Electron geometry with 2 electron domains, $sp$ hybridization, 0 lone pairs, a bond angle of $180^\text{o}$, such as in $\text{CO}_2$.

Trigonal Planar Geometry (3 domains)

Electron geometry with 3 electron domains, $sp^2$ hybridization, 0 lone pairs, a bond angle of $120^\text{o}$, such as in $\text{CH}_2\text{O}$.

Bent Geometry (3 domains)

Molecular geometry with 3 electron domains and 1 lone pair, having a bond angle of $<120^\text{o}$, such as in $\text{SO}_2$.

Tetrahedral Geometry

Electron geometry with 4 electron domains, $sp^3$ hybridization, 0 lone pairs, a bond angle of $109.5^\text{o}$, such as in $\text{CH}_4$.

Trigonal Pyramidal Geometry

Molecular geometry with 4 electron domains and 1 lone pair, having a bond angle of $<109.5^\text{o}$, such as in $\text{NH}_3$.

Bent Geometry (4 domains)

Molecular geometry with 4 electron domains and 2 lone pairs, having a bond angle of $<109.5^\text{o}$, such as in $\text{H}_2\text{O}$.

Trigonal Bipyramidal Geometry

Electron geometry with 5 electron domains, $sp^3d$ hybridization, 0 lone pairs, bond angles of $90^\text{o}$ and $120^\text{o}$, such as in $\text{PCl}_5$.

See-saw Geometry

Molecular geometry with 5 electron domains and 1 lone pair, having bond angles of $90^\text{o}$ and $120^\text{o}$, such as in $\text{SF}_4$.

T-shaped Geometry

Molecular geometry with 5 electron domains and 2 lone pairs, having a bond angle of $90^\text{o}$, such as in $\text{ClF}_3$.

Linear Geometry (5 domains)

Molecular geometry with 5 electron domains and 3 lone pairs, having a bond angle of $180^\text{o}$, such as in $\text{XeF}_2$.

Octahedral Geometry

Electron geometry with 6 electron domains, $sp^3d^2$ hybridization, 0 lone pairs, a bond angle of $90^\text{o}$, such as in $\text{SF}_6$.

Square Pyramidal Geometry

Molecular geometry with 6 electron domains and 1 lone pair, having a bond angle of $90^\text{o}$, such as in $\text{BrF}_5$.

Square Planar Geometry

Molecular geometry with 6 electron domains and 2 lone pairs, having a bond angle of $90^\text{o}$, such as in $\text{XeF}_4$.