Question

How does a lone pair distort the molecular shape?

O A. The lone pair forces bonding atoms farther from the nucleus.
B. The lone pair makes new bonds, changing the molecule's shape.
O C. The lone pair pushes bonding atoms closer to the nucleus.
O D. The lone pair forces bonding atoms away from itself.
SUBMIT

Answer 1

D. The lone pair forces bonding atoms away from itself.

Step-by-step explanation:

The lone pairs are found in the outermost shell thereby making sharing of electrons easier. Lone pairs which are found in a covalent bond creates a bond angle which makes it a determinant of the bond angle.

The lone pairs which are negatively charged repulses the bond pairs thereby creating a distortion in the shape of the molecule.

The lone pairs creates the distortion by forcing bonding atoms away from itself.