QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
"What is the molecular geometry of NO^3 -?
Group of answer choices
tetrahedral
tee-shaped
trigonal pyramidal
trigonal planar"
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Answer
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Step 1: Determine the electron geometry of NO^3 -.
The nitrate ion, NO^3 -, has 5 + 3 x 6 + 1 = 24 valence electrons (5 from nitrogen and 6 from each of the three oxygen atoms, plus one extra for the negative charge). To find the electron geometry, place the nitrogen atom in the center and the three oxygen atoms at equal distances from the nitrogen atom. Then, add the remaining valence electrons as lone pairs on the oxygen atoms. This results in a total of 4 regions of electron density around the central nitrogen atom, giving the electron geometry a tetrahedral shape.
Step 2: Determine the molecular geometry.
The molecular geometry of NO^3 - is determined by the number of lone pairs on the central nitrogen atom. In this case, there are no lone pairs on the nitrogen atom, so the molecular geometry is the same as the electron geometry, which is tetrahedral. However, because the nitrogen atom is bonded to three oxygen atoms, the actual shape is a trigonal planar geometry.
Final Answer
The molecular geometry of NO^3 - is trigonal planar.
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