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Ch.11 - Chemical Bonding II: Molecular Shapes, VSEPR & MO Theory
Chapter 11, Problem 40c

Determine the molecular geometry and sketch each molecule or ion, using the bond conventions shown in “Representing Molecular Geometries on Paper” in Section 11.4. c. ClF3

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

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 VSEPR, electron pairs will arrange themselves as far apart as possible to minimize repulsion, leading to specific molecular shapes.
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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 overall shape, such as linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, or octahedral configurations.
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Bonding and Lone Pairs

In molecular structures, bonding pairs are the pairs of electrons shared between atoms, while lone pairs are the pairs of valence electrons that are not involved in bonding. The presence of lone pairs can significantly affect the molecular geometry by altering bond angles and the overall shape of the molecule, as seen in molecules like ClF3, which has both bonding and lone pairs.
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