VSEPR Practice Questions

1.​ Consider the following statements and choose the best answer:
1st statement 2nd statement
​ The central atom of a molecule Atoms of some elements in Period 3
with a non-octet structure must be and beyond in the Periodic Table
an element in Period 3 or beyond can have more than eight outermost
in the Periodic Table. shell electrons in their compounds.
​ A.​ Both statements are true and the 2nd statement is a correct explanation of the 1st
statement.
​ B.​ Both statements are true but the 2nd statement is NOT a correct explanation of the 1st
statement.
​ C.​ The 1st statement is false but the 2nd statement is true.
​ D.​ Both statements are false.


2.​ Consider the following statements and choose the best answer:
1st statement 2nd statement
​ Sulphur dichloride has a non-octet The sulphur atom in its compound
structure. can have more than eight outermost
shell electrons.
​ A.​ Both statements are true and the 2nd statement is a correct explanation of the 1st
statement.
​ B.​ Both statements are true but the 2nd statement is NOT a correct explanation of the 1st
statement.
​ C.​ The 1st statement is false but the 2nd statement is true.
​ D.​ Both statements are false.


3.​ Consider the following statements and choose the best answer:
1st statement 2nd statement
​ All linear molecules consist of two Hydrogen is a linear molecule.
atoms only.
​ A.​ Both statements are true and the 2nd statement is a correct explanation of the 1st
statement.
​ B.​ Both statements are true but the 2nd statement is NOT a correct explanation of the 1st
statement.
​ C.​ The 1st statement is false but the 2nd statement is true.
​ D.​ Both statements are false.
 4.​ Consider the following statements and choose the best answer:
1st statement 2nd statement
​ A H2S molecule is V-shaped. There are two bond pairs of
electrons and two lone pairs of
electrons around the sulphur atom of
a H2S molecule.
​ A.​ Both statements are true and the 2nd statement is a correct explanation of the 1st
statement.
​ B.​ Both statements are true but the 2nd statement is NOT a correct explanation of the 1st
statement.
​ C.​ The 1st statement is false but the 2nd statement is true.
​ D.​ Both statements are false.


5.​ Which of the following elements CANNOT form molecules with a non-octet structure?
​ A.​ Carbon
​ B.​ Phosphorus
​ C.​ Sulphur
​ D.​ Bromine


6.​ A molecule consists of three elements: nitrogen, X and Y. The structure of the molecule is
shown below.

​ Which of the following combinations about X and Y is correct?

X Y
A Si O
.
B P F
.
C B O
.
D S F
.
 
7.​ Which of the following atoms of elements can have more than eight electrons in the
outermost electron shell in its compound?
​ A.​ Nitrogen
​ B.​ Oxygen
​ C.​ Phosphorus
​ D.​ Fluorine

8.​ In which of the following molecules does the central atom have a non-octet structure?
​ A.​ NH3
​ B.​ BF3
​ C.​ CO2
​ D.​ H2O

9.​ Which of the following compounds have a non-octet structure?
(1)​ PCl3
(2)​ POCl3
(3)​ PCl5
​ A.​ (1) and (2) only
​ B.​ (1) and (3) only
​ C.​ (2) and (3) only
​ D.​ (1), (2) and (3)


10.​Which of the following species does NOT obey the octet rule?
​ A.​ B(OH)3
​ B.​ N2H4
​ C.​ OF2
​ D.​ MgCl2

11.​In which of the following molecules does the central atom have an octet structure?
​ A.​ SO2
​ B.​ SBr6
​ C.​ OCl2
​ D.​ BeF2

 12.​The electron diagram of a fluorine molecule is shown below (only the outermost shell
electrons are shown).

Which of the following molecules has/have the same number of lone pair of electrons as
a fluorine molecule?
(1)​ Sulphur trioxide
(2)​ Carbon dioxide
(3)​ Dichlorine monoxide
​ A.​ (1) only
​ B.​ (2) only
​ C.​ (1) and (3) only
​ D.​ (2) and (3) only


13.​Nitrogen difluoride (NF2) is a species that does NOT obey the octet rule. It is produced
by the thermal decomposition of dinitrogen tetrafluoride (N2F4). Which of the following
statements is/are correct?
(1)​ NF2 is a free radical.
(2)​ There is a N=N bond in a N2F4 molecule.
(3)​ A N2F4 molecule obeys the octet rule.
​ A.​ (1) only
​ B.​ (2) only
​ C.​ (1) and (3) only
​ D.​ (2) and (3) only


14.​Which of the following molecules has/have a linear shape?

(1)​ CHF3
(2)​ BeF2
(3)​ SF2
​ A.​ (1) only
​ B.​ (2) only
​ C.​ (1) and (3) only
​ D.​ (2) and (3) only

 15.​Which of the following sets are all linear molecules?
​ A.​ CO2, HCN, O2
​ B.​ BF3, Cl2, O2
​ C.​ H2S, CO, CO2
​ D.​ H2O, HCN, CO2

16.​Which of the following molecules is NOT linear in shape?
​ A.​ BeCl2
​ B.​ H2O
​ C.​ CS2
​ D.​ C2H2


17.​What is the shape of a carbon disulphide molecule?

​ A.​ Linear
​ B.​ V-shaped
​ C.​ Trigonal planar
​ D.​ Tetrahedral


18.​Which of the following is the correct spatial arrangement of the electron pairs around the
central atom in an ammonia molecule?
​ A.​ Linear
​ B.​ Trigonal planar
​ C.​ Trigonal pyramidal
​ D.​ Tetrahedral

 19.​Boron trichloride is an unstable compound. It is highly reactive towards many chemicals.
(a)​ Explain why boron trichloride is highly reactive.​ (2 marks)

(b)​ Predict the shape of a boron trichloride molecule.​ (1 mark)

(c)​ When boron trichloride reacts with hydrogen peroxide solution, hydrochloric acid and the
following compound forms.

​ (i)​ Draw the electron diagram for a hydrogen peroxide molecule, showing electrons in the
outermost shells only.​ (1 mark)

​ (ii)​ Write a chemical equation for the reaction involved. State symbols are NOT required.​
(1 mark)

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 20.​Thionyl chloride (SOCl2) is a useful reagent for the chlorination of organic compounds. It
can be synthesized from the reaction between sulphur trioxide (SO3) and sulphur
dichloride (SCl2).
SO3 + SCl2 → SOCl2 + SO2
(a)​ Draw the electron diagrams of sulphur trioxide and thionyl chloride respectively, showing
electrons in the outermost shells only.​ (2 marks)

(b)​ (i)​ Which compound in the above equation obeys the octet rule?​ (1 mark)

​ (ii)​ Draw the three-dimensional structure of the compound in (b)(i).​ (1 mark)

(c)​ Is the above reaction a redox reaction? Explain your answer in terms of oxidation number
changes.​ (1 mark)

​ ​ ​ ___
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 21.​Ammonia is a weak alkali. It ionizes slightly in water.
(a)​ (i)​ Draw the three-dimensional structure of an ammonia molecule.​ (1 mark)

​ (ii)​ State the shape of an ammonia molecule.​ (1 mark)

(b)​ Write an equation for the ionization of ammonia in water.​ (1 mark)

(c)​ (i)​ What is a dative covalent bond?​ (1 mark)

​ (ii)​ With the aid of an electron diagram, describe the formation of a dative covalent bond
between an ammonia molecule and a hydrogen ion.​ (2 marks)