Final answer:
The steric number determines the electron geometry of a molecule. Each steric number corresponds to a specific electron geometry, such as tetrahedral or octahedral.
Step-by-step explanation:
The steric number refers to the number of regions of electron density around an atom in a molecule. Based on the steric number, we can determine the electron geometry of the molecule.
- 2: Linear
- 3: Trigonal Planar
- 4: Tetrahedral
- 5: Trigonal Bipyramidal
- 6: Octahedral
- 7: Not applicable
- 8: Square Planar
For example, if the steric number is 4, then the electron geometry is tetrahedral. If the steric number is 6, then the electron geometry is octahedral.