Question

A molecule with a trigonal bipyramydal geometry has a bond angle of? A. <120° for equatorial bonds and <90° for axial bonds.

B. 180°.
C. <90°.
D. 120° for equatorial bonds and 90° for axial bonds.
E. 120°.

Answer 1

The correct answer is option E. A molecule with trigonal bipyramidal geometry has bond angles of 120° for equatorial bonds and 90° for axial bonds.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer for the bond angles in a molecule with trigonal bipyramidal geometry is option D: 120° for equatorial bonds and 90° for axial bonds.

In a trigonal bipyramidal structure, there are five atoms bonded to a central atom. The three equatorial positions are in the same plane, making a triangle around the central atom with bond angles of 120° between them.

The two axial positions are above and below this plane, forming a straight line through the central atom with the equatorial plane at a bond angle of 90°.

Answer 2

In trigonal bipyramidal geometry, bond angles are 120° for equatorial bonds and 90° for axial bonds, making option D the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question concerns a molecule with trigonal bipyramidal geometry which has distinct bond angles depending on the position of the bonds. In such a geometry, atoms that are located in the equatorial positions will form angles of 120° with each other while atoms in the axial positions (above or below the plane of the triangle) will form bond angles of 90° with the equatorial atoms. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is D: 120° for equatorial bonds and 90° for axial bonds.