Final answer:
The total number of electron domains for a molecule with the molecular formula AX3E3, where 'A' is the central atom, 'X' are the atoms attached to 'A', and 'E' are lone pairs, is 6. This includes 3 bonding pairs and 3 lone pairs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The molecule with the molecular formula AX3E3 indicates that there is one central atom (A), three atoms attached to the central atom (X), and three lone pairs of electrons (E). In order to determine the total number of electron domains (regions of electron density), we count both the bonding pairs and lone pairs of electrons. Each X represents a bonding pair and each E represents a lone pair.
Thus, for AX3E3, we have:
3 bonding pairs (from the three X atoms)
3 lone pairs (represented by the E)
The total number of electron domains is the sum of bonding pairs and lone pairs:
3 bonding pairs + 3 lone pairs = 6 electron domains
Therefore, the correct answer to the question 'What is the total number of electron domains in the molecule with the molecular formula AX3E3?' is:
2) 6