Question

Use VESPR theory to predict the molecular shape of the following molecules.

4. carbon dioxide (CO2)
5. methane (CH4)
6. the nitrate ion [NO3]−

Answer 1

4. Carbon dioxide.

The steric number is 2 with no lone pairs so it is Linear.

5. Methane CH4 has steric number 4 and no lone pairs so its tetrahedral.

6. Nitrate ion NO3] has steric number of 3 and no lone pairs so its trigonal planar,.