Molecular shape vs electron geometry
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Molecular shape vs electron geometry
What is the difference when asked for molecular shape versus electron geometry?
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Re: Molecular shape vs electron geometry
The molecular shape doesn't take to account the lone pairs found on the central atoms, and thus results in the shape being the same. While electron geometry does take this into account and we know that lone pairs have a higher electron density so this changes the shape completely.
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Re: Molecular shape vs electron geometry
The molecular shape looks at the bonded atoms only, while the electron geometry includes the bonded atoms and lone pairs.
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Re: Molecular shape vs electron geometry
Another thing to note is that sometimes the two will be the same, and sometimes they will have different shapes.
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Re: Molecular shape vs electron geometry
An example would be AX3E. Its molecular geometry would be trigonal pyramidal but its electron geometry is tetrahedral. For those without lone pairs on the central atom such as AX4, both its molecular and electron geometry is tetrahedral.
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