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SeH2 molecule -- How many lone-pairs of electrons are on the central Se atom? H3O+ ion -- How many lone-pairs of electrons are on the central O atom? SeO2 molecule -- How many lone-pairs of electrons are on the central Se atom?

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Final answer:

The number of lone pairs on the central atoms in SeH2, H3O+, and SeO2 are one, three, and two respectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

The number of lone pairs of electrons on the central Se atom in the SeH2 molecule is one. The electron pair geometry of SeH2 is bent and the molecular structure is linear.

The number of lone pairs of electrons on the central O atom in the H3O+ ion is three. The electron pair geometry of H3O+ is tetrahedral and the molecular structure is trigonal pyramidal.

The number of lone pairs of electrons on the central Se atom in the SeO2 molecule is two. The electron pair geometry of SeO2 is bent and the molecular structure is bent.

User Shannon Hochkins
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Se as in SeH₂: Two lone pairs.

O as in H₃O⁺: One lone pair.

Explanation

Se is a group 16 element. Both Se and O have six valence electrons in each neutral atom. The structure of an SeH₂ molecule resembles that of a water H₂O molecule. Two Se-H bonds connect the three atoms in each SeH₂ molecule.

Two valence electrons on the central Se atom would go to the two Se-H bonds. The four valence electrons remaining would form two lone pairs.

H₃O⁺ has a trigonal pyramidal geometry.

  • Each oxygen atom demands 2 electrons to form an octet.
  • Each hydrogen atom demands 1 electrons to form an octet. There are three hydrogen atoms in each H₃O⁺ ion.
  • The charge of +1 indicates that the ion lacks one electron. It would take an extra electron to fill that gap.

It takes 2 + 3 × 1 + 1 = 6 extra electrons to ensure an octet for all four atoms in a H₃O⁺ ion. The ion would achieve that configuration by forming 6 / 2 = 3 O-H bonds. The central oxygen atom has six valence electrons when it is neutral. Now it has five in this cation after having lost one to acquire the charge of +1. Three of the valence electrons go to three O-H bonds. The remaining two become a lone pair.

User Paul Delhanty
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