electronic vs. molecular geometry

[lilchinoboy03]

True or False?

Electronic geometry includes lone pairs in configuration and molecular geometry only include atoms connected. So that NH3 electronic geometry is tetrahedral?, but its molecular geometry is trigonal pyrimidal???

Does that sound about right? I'd hate to miss an easy question because of confusion.

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[haavoc]

That sounds correct to me. Ammonia seems to be a favorite for test makers. Definately know its molecular geometry.

 

[mld]

True or False?

Electronic geometry includes lone pairs in configuration and molecular geometry only include atoms connected. So that NH3 electronic geometry is tetrahedral?, but its molecular geometry is trigonal pyrimidal???

Does that sound about right? I'd hate to miss an easy question because of confusion.

In my opinion it is false, geometry is determined based on both the lone electron pairs and bonded electron pairs, so if there are 3+1= 4 pairs it must be tetrahedral.Please correct me if iam wrong.

 

[lilchinoboy03]

In my opinion it is false, geometry is determined based on both the lone electron pairs and bonded electron pairs, so if there are 3+1= 4 pairs it must be tetrahedral.Please correct me if iam wrong.

I THINK the electronic geometry would be tetrahedral because it includes the lone pair in its definition, but its molecular geometry is trigonal pyrimidal because it excludes the e- pair but then the lone electron pair still effects the shape...let's get someone on here that is POSITIVE of the answer...i don't think we're all quite clear yet

 

[denttiger]

Yes, lilchinoboy03 you are absolutely correct. Or at least from what my Gen. Chem. memory tells me. Hope this helps.

 

[askadds]

I THINK the electronic geometry would be tetrahedral because it includes the lone pair in its definition, but its molecular geometry is trigonal pyrimidal because it excludes the e- pair but then the lone electron pair still effects the shape...let's get someone on here that is POSITIVE of the answer...i don't think we're all quite clear yet

sounds correct to me. to read up on this, look at page 219-220 in Kaplan

 

[CyborgNinjaX]

I just read this portion in the Kaplan book. NH3 is actually trigonal pyrimidal. Honestly, the Kaplan book can do better on this because they only have the VSEPR configurations for the molecules that do not have lone pair electrons. I had to look it up on Wikipedia to get it.