An AB2 molecule is described as having a tetrahedral geometry. (a) How many nonbonding domains are on atom A?

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Identify the central atom in the molecule AB2, which is atom A.

Understand that a tetrahedral geometry implies that there are four electron domains around the central atom. These domains can be either bonding pairs of electrons or lone pairs (nonbonding pairs).

Recognize that in the molecule AB2, there are two bonds between atom A and two B atoms. These two bonds account for two of the electron domains.

Since the geometry is tetrahedral with four electron domains and only two are used for bonding, the remaining two domains must be nonbonding.

Conclude that there are two nonbonding domains (lone pairs) on atom A in the AB2 molecule with tetrahedral geometry.

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Key Concepts

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

Molecular Geometry

Molecular geometry refers to the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within a molecule. In the case of an AB2 molecule with tetrahedral geometry, the central atom A is surrounded by two B atoms and the spatial arrangement is determined by the repulsion between electron pairs, including both bonding and nonbonding pairs.

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, the shape of the molecule is determined by minimizing the repulsion between these electron pairs, which can include bonding pairs and lone pairs.

Nonbonding Domains

Nonbonding domains refer to regions in a molecule where electron pairs are present but are not involved in bonding with other atoms. In a tetrahedral AB2 molecule, the presence of nonbonding domains on atom A affects the overall geometry and can influence the angles between the bonded atoms, which is crucial for understanding the molecular shape.

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