Using the VSEPR model,the molecular geometry of the central atom in SeO₂is ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Lewis structure for SeO₂shows that the central atom (Se) has two bonding pairs and two lone pairs of electrons. This gives a total of four electron pairs, which corresponds to a tetrahedral electron pair geometry. However, due to the lone pairs, the actual molecular geometry will be distorted. The lone pairs will repel the bonding pairs, causing the two oxygen atoms to be bent downwards. This results in a bent molecular geometry with a bond angle slightly less than 109.5 degrees. Therefore, the best choice is C, bent.

Using the VSEPR Model,the Molecular Geometry of the Central Atom