Q. \( \mathrm{HCl} \) electron geometry and molecular geometry.

Q: Is the HCN molecule linear or bent, and why?

HCN is linear because carbon has 2 electron domains. With 2 domains, VSEPR predicts a sp arrangement and 180^\circ, so it cannot be bent.

Q: What VSEPR electron-domain geometry corresponds to 2 domains?

For 2 electron domains, the electron-domain geometry is linear. The electron angle is approximately 180^\circ.

Q: What is the hybridization of carbon in HCN, and how does it relate to geometry?

Carbon is sp hybridized (two sp orbitals). This supports a linear molecular geometry with 180^\circ between H–C and C–N.

Q: What are the bond angles in HCN?

The key bond angle at carbon is \angle H\text{–}C\text{–}N \approx 180^\circ. Any deviations are typically very small.

Answer

HCN (hydrogen cyanide): electron geometry and molecular geometry.

Step 1: Electron-domain (VSEPR)
Central atom is carbon, \( \text{C} \). It has:
– 1 electron domain from the \(\text{C}\equiv\text{N}\) triple bond (counts as 1 electron region)
– 0 lone pairs on carbon
So total electron domains \(= 2\).

Step 2: Electron geometry for 2 domains
With \(2\) electron domains, electron geometry is linear.

Step 3: Molecular geometry
Molecular geometry depends on atoms attached. Carbon is bonded to two atoms: H and N.
So the molecular shape is also linear.

Final result:
Electron geometry: linear
Molecular geometry: linear

Detailed Explanation

We are asked about the electron geometry and molecular geometry of the molecule/ion indicated by HCN (hydrogen cyanide).

Overall goal: Use the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) model.

Step 1: Count the central atom and its bonds

In HCN, the central atom we use for VSEPR is carbon. The structure is linear: H–C≡N.

Carbon has:

One bond to hydrogen (a single bond)
One triple bond to nitrogen (counts as one region of electron density for VSEPR)

So carbon has a total of two electron regions around it.

Step 2: Count electron domains on the central atom

For carbon in HCN (using VSEPR):

\(2\) bonding regions
\(0\) lone pairs on carbon

Thus, the total number of electron domains is:

\[
\text{Steric number} = 2
\]

Step 3: Determine the electron geometry from the steric number

For VSEPR:

If steric number \(= 2\), the electron geometry is linear.

So:

Electron geometry (around carbon): linear

Step 4: Determine the molecular geometry

The molecular geometry depends on how the electron domains are arranged and whether there are lone pairs.

Here there are:

\(2\) bonding regions
\(0\) lone pairs

With no lone pairs, a steric number of \(2\) gives a molecular shape that is also linear.

So:

Molecular geometry: linear

Final Answer

Electron geometry of HCN: linear
Molecular geometry of HCN: linear

(The bond angle for a linear shape is \(180^\circ\).)

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General Chemistry FAQs

What is the electron geometry and molecular geometry of HCN?

HCN has the central atom carbon with 2 electron domains (H–C, C–N). Electron geometry is linear. Molecular geometry is linear, with the H–C–N arrangement at about \(180^\circ\).

How many electron domains does carbon have in HCN under VSEPR?

Carbon is the central atom. It is bonded to H and N, giving 2 bonding regions. There are no lone pairs on carbon, so total electron domains \(=2\).

Is the HCN molecule linear or bent, and why?

HCN is linear because carbon has \(2\) electron domains. With \(2\) domains, VSEPR predicts a \(sp\) arrangement and \(180^\circ\), so it cannot be bent.

What VSEPR electron-domain geometry corresponds to \(2\) domains?

For \(2\) electron domains, the electron-domain geometry is linear. The electron angle is approximately \(180^\circ\).

What is the hybridization of carbon in HCN, and how does it relate to geometry?

Carbon is \(sp\) hybridized (two \(sp\) orbitals). This supports a linear molecular geometry with \(180^\circ\) between H–C and C–N.

Does the lone pair on nitrogen affect the geometry of HCN?

The lone pair is on nitrogen, not on the central carbon atom. VSEPR geometry depends on electron domains around carbon, so the overall shape remains linear.

What are the bond angles in HCN?

The key bond angle at carbon is \(\angle H\text{–}C\text{–}N \approx 180^\circ\). Any deviations are typically very small.

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