AP Chemistry : Bonding and Forces

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Chemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #91 : Bonding And Forces

What is the hybridization on the sulfur molecule in the following molecule?

H2S

Possible Answers:
sp3d
sp
sp2
sp3
s
Correct answer: sp3
Explanation:

the sulfur has 2 atoms bonded (the H) and 2 pairs of electrons, which is a total of 4 electron domains. The hybridization of the sulfur therefore is sp3

Example Question #91 : Bonding And Forces

What is the hybridization of the molecular bonds and molecular geometry of NH_3\(\displaystyle NH_3\)?

Possible Answers:

sp^3\(\displaystyle sp^3\) hybridization and trigonal pyramidal geometry

sp^3\(\displaystyle sp^3\) hybridization and trigonal planar geometry

None of the available answers

sp^2\(\displaystyle sp^2\) hybridization and trigonal planar geometry

sp^2\(\displaystyle sp^2\) hybridization and trigonal pyramidal geometry

Correct answer:

sp^3\(\displaystyle sp^3\) hybridization and trigonal pyramidal geometry

Explanation:

Nitrogen is a Group 5 element, so when it is bound to three hydrogen atoms, it will have a lone pair.

NH_3\(\displaystyle NH_3\) has four areas of electron density (three bonds and one lone pair), so its bonds are sp^3\(\displaystyle sp^3\) hybridized.

Because of the lone pair, NH_3\(\displaystyle NH_3\) has a trigonal pyramidal geometry.

Example Question #92 : Bonding And Forces

Which of the following molecules has an atom with \(\displaystyle sp^{2}\) hybridization? 

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle NH_{3}\)

\(\displaystyle C_{2}H_{4}\)

\(\displaystyle CH_{4}\)

\(\displaystyle H_{2}O\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle C_{2}H_{4}\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle sp^{2}\) hybridization occurs when a double bond is present in a molecule. The only molecule that has a double bond is ethene \(\displaystyle (C_{2}H_{4})\). Both carbon atoms exhibit \(\displaystyle sp^{2}\)hybridization.

\(\displaystyle sp^3\) hybridization is observed in atoms that have only single bonds, while \(\displaystyle sp\) hybridization occurs when a triple bond is present. The other given molecules all contain only \(\displaystyle sp^3\) hybridized atoms.

Example Question #93 : Bonding And Forces

A carbonyl carbon is double bonded to an oxygen atom, as well as two other substituents. What type of hybrid orbitals are present on the carbonyl carbon? 

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle s\)

\(\displaystyle spd\)

\(\displaystyle sp^2\)

\(\displaystyle sp\)

\(\displaystyle sp^3\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle sp^2\)

Explanation:

Carbon hybrid orbitals are combinations of s and p valence orbitals, and are equal in energy. The hybridization of an atom is dependent on the number of atoms that it is bonded to, as well as the number of lone pairs on the atom in question. A carbonyl carbon is bonded to three other atoms (keep in mind the double bond is not counted twice!) and it has no lone electron pairs. As a result, a carbonyl carbon will exhibit \(\displaystyle \small sp^2\) hybridization.

A carbon with four substituents will be \(\displaystyle sp^3\) hybridized. A carbon with a double bond will be \(\displaystyle sp^2\) hybridized. A carbon with a triple bond or two double bonds will be \(\displaystyle sp\) hybridized.

Example Question #94 : Bonding And Forces

Molecule XMe_5\(\displaystyle XMe_5\) has a trigonal bipyramidal shape. What type of hybridization describes its bonds?

Possible Answers:

spdf^2\(\displaystyle spdf^2\)

sp^3d\(\displaystyle sp^3d\)

s^2p^3\(\displaystyle s^2p^3\)

spd^3\(\displaystyle spd^3\)

sp^2d^2\(\displaystyle sp^2d^2\)

Correct answer:

sp^3d\(\displaystyle sp^3d\)

Explanation:

Trigonal bipyramidal geometries arise from the hybridization of one s orbital, three p orbitals, and one d orbital, hence the name sp^3d\(\displaystyle sp^3d\).

Example Question #95 : Bonding And Forces

What is the maximum number of electrons an s subshell holds?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 10\)

\(\displaystyle 6\)

\(\displaystyle 14\)

\(\displaystyle 2\)

\(\displaystyle 4\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 2\)

Explanation:

Each s subshell has 2 electrons in it, each with opposing spin. 

Example Question #97 : Bonding And Forces

How many electrons are there in the p subshell?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 2\)

\(\displaystyle 14\)

\(\displaystyle 6\)

\(\displaystyle 10\)

\(\displaystyle 10\)

\(\displaystyle 4\)

\(\displaystyle 14\)

\(\displaystyle 4\)

\(\displaystyle 2\)

\(\displaystyle 14\)

\(\displaystyle 10\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 6\)

Explanation:

Each p subshell can have a maximum of 6 electrons in it. Note that there are three p orbitals, denoted px, py, and pzThese orbitals represent the plane in space in which they reside.

Example Question #96 : Bonding And Forces

What is the maximum number of electrons in a d subshell?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 14\)

\(\displaystyle 4\)

\(\displaystyle 10\)

\(\displaystyle 2\)

\(\displaystyle 6\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 10\)

Explanation:

Remember that the d block involves the transition metals. There are 10 transition metal elements per row/period, and those 10 transition elements represent the maximum 10 possible electrons that can be held per d subshell. The d subshell has five orbitals, each with the potential to hold two electrons.

Example Question #97 : Bonding And Forces

What is the maximum number of electrons in the f subshell?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 4\)

\(\displaystyle 2\)

\(\displaystyle 6\)

\(\displaystyle 10\)

\(\displaystyle 14\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 14\)

Explanation:

The f block includes the lanthanides and actinides. There are 14 elements per period/row in the f block, which represent each electron that can fit in the subshell. Thus the f subshell has seven orbitals, each of which can hold a maximum of two electrons for a total of 14.

Example Question #98 : Bonding And Forces

What is the maximum number of electrons in the n=1 energy level?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 50\)

\(\displaystyle 2\)

\(\displaystyle 32\)

\(\displaystyle 8\)

\(\displaystyle 18\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 2\)

Explanation:

Remember, the energy level number is equal to the row number on the periodic table. Looking at row 1, s is the only subshell possible in this row. It has a maximum of two electrons.

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