Which geometry corresponds to two bonded atoms and two lone pairs?

Which geometry corresponds to two bonded atoms and two lone pairs?

• A. Tetrahedral
• B. Trigonal planar
• C. Bent (Angular)
• D. Square planar

Answer: (C)

In VSEPR theory, the shape around a central atom is determined by the number of electron pairs (bonding and lone pairs). Here there are two bonds and two lone pairs, giving four electron domains in total. Four domains prefer a tetrahedral arrangement to minimize repulsion, but the two lone pairs take up more space, pushing the two bond pairs closer together. The result is a bent (angular) molecular shape, with bond angles less than 109.5°, typically around 104–105°. This is the correct description for two bonded atoms with two lone pairs. The other options describe different scenarios: tetrahedral would require four bonding pairs around the center (not two bonds), trigonal planar corresponds to three regions around the center, and square planar arises when there are four bonds with two lone pairs (six regions) around the center, not the case here.

In VSEPR theory, the shape around a central atom is determined by the number of electron pairs (bonding and lone pairs). Here there are two bonds and two lone pairs, giving four electron domains in total. Four domains prefer a tetrahedral arrangement to minimize repulsion, but the two lone pairs take up more space, pushing the two bond pairs closer together. The result is a bent (angular) molecular shape, with bond angles less than 109.5°, typically around 104–105°. This is the correct description for two bonded atoms with two lone pairs.

The other options describe different scenarios: tetrahedral would require four bonding pairs around the center (not two bonds), trigonal planar corresponds to three regions around the center, and square planar arises when there are four bonds with two lone pairs (six regions) around the center, not the case here.