Determine the molecular geometry about each interior atom and sketch each molecule. b. N₂H₂ (skeletal structure HNNH)

Key Concepts

VSEPR Theory

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (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.

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 angles between bonds and the overall shape of the molecule, such as linear, bent, or tetrahedral.

Lewis Structures

Lewis structures are diagrams that represent the bonding between atoms in a molecule and the lone pairs of electrons that may exist. They provide a visual representation of the arrangement of electrons, helping to predict molecular geometry and the connectivity of atoms, which is essential for understanding the structure of compounds like N2H2.