Determine the geometry about each interior atom in each molecule and sketch the molecule. (Skeletal structure is indicated in parentheses.) c. NH₂CO₂H (H₂NCOOH both O atoms attached to C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the central atoms in the molecule NH_2CO_2H. The central atoms are nitrogen (N) and carbon (C).
2. Determine the geometry around the nitrogen atom. Nitrogen in NH_2 typically forms three bonds and has one lone pair, leading to a trigonal pyramidal geometry.
3. Determine the geometry around the carbon atom. Carbon in CO_2H forms four bonds (two with oxygen, one with nitrogen, and one with hydrogen), leading to a tetrahedral geometry.
4. Consider the geometry around the oxygen atoms. Each oxygen in CO_2H forms two bonds and has two lone pairs, leading to a bent or angular geometry.
5. Sketch the molecule by placing the atoms according to their geometries: nitrogen with a trigonal pyramidal shape, carbon with a tetrahedral shape, and oxygen with a bent shape. Connect the atoms as indicated in the skeletal structure.

Key Concepts

Molecular Geometry

Molecular geometry refers to the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within a molecule. It is determined by the number of bonding pairs and lone pairs of electrons around the central atom, which influences the shape of the molecule. Common geometries include linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, and bent, each resulting from specific arrangements of electron pairs according to VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory.

VSEPR Theory

VSEPR theory is a model used to predict the geometry of individual molecules based on the repulsion between electron pairs in the valence shell of the central atom. According to this theory, electron pairs will arrange themselves as far apart as possible to minimize repulsion, leading to specific molecular shapes. This theory is essential for determining the spatial arrangement of atoms in a molecule like NH2CO2H.

Skeletal Structure

A skeletal structure is a simplified representation of a molecule that shows the connectivity between atoms without depicting all the hydrogen atoms explicitly. In skeletal formulas, carbon atoms are typically represented by vertices or ends of lines, while other atoms like oxygen and nitrogen are shown explicitly. Understanding skeletal structures is crucial for visualizing molecular geometry and determining the arrangement of atoms in compounds such as NH2CO2H.