SOLUTION TO ASSIGMENT #1

(1)
 The fact that this test and examination question would be objective does not
mean that just stating the answer is acceptable.
 The point here is the word DERIVE – this means you have to show how you got
your answer.
BF3
B = 3e F x Bx x F F B F
3F = 3 x 7e = 21e F
24e F

- -
ArF3- xx
x x xx
x x
Ar = 8e F x Arx
x xx
F F Ar x
F
x
3F = 3 x 7e = 21e F
-1 = 1e F
30e

The bracket and the charge must be included (It doesn’t have to be a square bracket,
however it used more often.

H2SO4 O
S = 6e O
x
4O = 4 x 6e = 24e Hx O x Sx x O xH H O S O H
2H = 2 x 1e = 2e O O
32e

If you drew H2SO4 with double bonds and without the correct explanation as why you
have the double bonds, it means you just went online or a textbook to get the
information (For more information listen to the attached audio and the watch the PPT).

2-
(CO3)2- 2- 2-
O x Cx O O xC x O O C O
C = 4e x
x
3O = 3 x 6e = 18e O O O
-2 = 2e
24e

Bond pair comprise of different symbols while lone pairs are the same. This is done to
show that each atom is donating an electron. In the case of the formation of the double in
𝐶𝑂32− the lone pair donated by O is indicated in red and a curved arrow to show the
movement of the electrons and were they are going to. Ensure that you use the same
symbol. For example, the electron from carbon is represented with x while from oxygen
is represented with •, don’t swap be consistent.
-
Cl
(KrCl5)- Cl -
x
Kr = 8e Cl x Cl Cl Cl
Krx xx
xx xx Kr x x
5Cl = 5 x 7e = 35e x x
Cl Cl
-1 = 1e
42e Cl Cl

(H2IO2)+ +
+ O
2H = 2 x 1e = 2e O
x
I = 7e H xI x O H I O
2O = 2 x 6 = 12e x

+1 = -1e H H
20e

(19 marks)
(2)
VSEPR theory is used to predict the shapes of simple covalent compounds. It is based on
electron-electron repulsion causing the atoms in the molecule to adopt geometries that
would experience the least repulsion and maximum stability. The order of strength of this
repulsion is lone pair – lone pair > lone pair –bond pair – bond pair. (3 marks)

From the Lewis structure of

BF3, B has 3 bond pairs and F F
no lone pair. Its shape will B
be trigonal planar.
F

With 3 bond pairs and 3 lone

pairs on Ar, the shape of These are the orbitals that
contain the lone pairs
ArF3− is T-shape.
-
F F -
xx xx
x x
x x
xAr Ar
x xx
F F
F F
 S in H2SO4 has 4 bond pairs
and no lone pairs. The shape O
will be tetrahedral. While
H O
for O, in the H – O – S bond, S
O has 2 bond pair and 2 lone O
O H
pairs, around there it will be
bent shape.
CO2−
3 just like BF3, the
central atom C has 3 bond 2-
pairs and no lone pair. Its O O
shape will be trigonal planar C

𝐾𝑟𝐶𝑙52− Kr has 5 bond pairs

and two lone pair. Just as in -
-
the case of a compound Cl
having 4 bond pairs and 2 Cl Cl xx
xx Cl
lone pairs being square
Kr
planar. The would be called xx Cl Kr
pentagonal planar. Cl Cl
xx Cl
Cl Cl

𝐻2 𝐼𝑂2+ , iodine has 4 bond

pairs and no lone pairs. It
must be tetrahedral in
shape.
H H +
H + H
I I
O HO
O OH

For stating the correct number of bond pairs and lone pair -1 mark
For the correct prediction of the shape - 1 mark
For the correct drawing bearing in mind of its shape of the molecule - 1 marks
(18 marks)
You do need to draw the orbitals containing the lone pairs. This was done for emphasis.

𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 = 𝟒𝟎 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 ⇒ 𝟒𝟎⁄𝟒 = 𝟏𝟎 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬