Using the VSEPR model, the molecular geometry of the central atom in BF₃ is ________. A) tetrahedral B) trigonal bipyramidal C) trigonal planar D) bent E) linear

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According to the VSEPR model (which stands for Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion), the electrons around a central atom will arrange themselves in a way that minimizes electron repulsion, leading to a specific molecular geometry. In this case, looking at the formula BF₃, we can see that there are two outer atoms (F) and two lone pairs of electrons (designated by the U), along with the central atom (B). This corresponds to trigonal planar geometry, which is characterized by a central atom with three electron pairs around it arranged in a flat triangle. The lone pairs will take up positions as far away from the other electron pairs as possible, leading to this specific geometry.

Using the VSEPR Model, the Molecular Geometry of the Central