Determine the electron geometry of the nitrogen atom within methylamine, CH 3 NH 2 . A. Linear B. Trigonal Pyramidal C. Tetrahedral D. Trigonal Planar

Determine the electron geometry of the nitrogen atom within methyl amine, which is CH3NH2. Here, I've already drawn a molecule, so it's pretty simple in terms of looking at the nitrogen atom. We're gonna say it's connected to 1, 2, 3, 4 surrounding it well, 4 electron groups total. 1 of them being a lone pair, and 3 of them being surrounding elements. So remember, because it's 4 electron groups, 4 is connected to the numerical prefix tetra, and because of that this is tetrahedral. So here we'd say that the electron geometry around the nitrogen atom is tetrahedral in shape.

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12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory

Electron Geometry

General Chemistry

12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory

Electron Geometry

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Multiple Choice

Determine the electron geometry of the nitrogen atom within methylamine, CH₃NH₂.

A. Linear
B. Trigonal Pyramidal
C. Tetrahedral
D. Trigonal Planar

Linear

Trigonal Pyramidal

Tetrahedral

Trigonal Planar

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Verified step by step guidance

Identify the central atom in the molecule. In methylamine (CH3NH2), the nitrogen (N) atom is the central atom for the NH2 group.

Count the number of electron groups around the nitrogen atom. Electron groups include bonds (single, double, or triple) and lone pairs of electrons. In this case, nitrogen is bonded to two hydrogen atoms and has one lone pair of electrons.

Determine the total number of electron groups around the nitrogen atom. There are two N-H bonds and one lone pair, making a total of three electron groups.

Use the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory to determine the electron geometry. According to VSEPR theory, three electron groups around a central atom result in a trigonal planar electron geometry.

Consider the effect of the lone pair on the molecular shape. While the electron geometry is trigonal planar, the presence of a lone pair changes the molecular shape to trigonal pyramidal.