Complete Theory

Worked Examples

Example 1Geometry and polarity of

\mathrm{CO_2}

and

\mathrm{H_2O}

Example 2Bond type from

\Delta\chi

Exercise 1Hybridization and geometryMedium

📋 Problem to solve

Determine the hybridization and geometry of methane

\mathrm{CH_4}

, ammonia

\mathrm{NH_3}

, and water

\mathrm{H_2O}

📌 Given data

CH₄: central C with 4 C—H bondsNH₃: central N with 3 N—H bonds + 1 lone pairH₂O: central O with 2 O—H bonds + 2 lone pairs

Exercise 2Intermolecular forcesMedium

📋 Problem to solve

Why does water (

M=18

g/mol) boil at 100°C while methane (

M=16

g/mol) boils at −161°C, despite having nearly the same molar mass?

📌 Given data

H₂O: M=18 g/molCH₄: M=16 g/mol

Exercise 3ResonanceHard

📋 Problem to solve

Explain why the three C–O bonds in the carbonate ion

\mathrm{CO_3^{2-}}

all have the same length, about 129 pm (intermediate between a single C–O bond, 143 pm, and a double bond, 122 pm).

📌 Given data

CO₃²⁻: central C, 3 O atoms around, charge -2

📚

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