Free VSEPR Theory MCQs with Answers
36 VSEPR Theory MCQs from Chemistry, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Valence shell electron pair repulsion theory predicts molecular shape by arranging bonding pairs and lone pairs around a central atom to minimize repulsion. Questions cover linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, trigonal bipyramidal and octahedral electron geometries, bond angles and distortions caused by lone pairs. Electron geometry is not always the same as molecular shape.
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36 questions · page 1 of 2
- A. the mutual repulsion of the electron pairs around the central atom, which arrange themselves as far apart as possible
- B. the masses of the atoms attached
- C. the number of neutrons in the central atom
- D. the temperature at which the molecule is examined
Explanation: Bonding and lone pairs are regions of negative charge, so they repel and settle into the arrangement of minimum repulsion, which fixes the…
Correct answer: the mutual repulsion of the electron pairs around the central atom, which arrange themselves as far apart as possible- A. trigonal planar
- B. pyramidal, with a bond angle of about 107 degrees
- C. tetrahedral, with an angle of 109.5 degrees
- D. linear
Explanation: Nitrogen has three bond pairs and one lone pair, so the four electron regions point tetrahedrally but only the three bonded atoms are…
Correct answer: pyramidal, with a bond angle of about 107 degrees- A. oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen
- B. water molecules are hydrogen bonded
- C. the two lone pairs on oxygen repel the bond pairs more strongly than bond pairs repel each other
- D. the molecule is linear
Explanation: Oxygen has four electron regions, two bonding and two lone pairs, so the basic arrangement is tetrahedral, but the two lone pairs squeeze…
Correct answer: the two lone pairs on oxygen repel the bond pairs more strongly than bond pairs repel each other- A. pyramidal
- B. bent
- C. tetrahedral
- D. trigonal planar with bond angles of 120 degrees
Explanation: Boron forms three bonds and has no lone pair, so the three electron regions lie flat at 120 degrees, and the molecule is an exception to…
Correct answer: trigonal planar with bond angles of 120 degrees- A. tetrahedral and bent
- B. trigonal planar and linear
- C. tetrahedral and linear
- D. pyramidal and bent
Explanation: Methane has four bond pairs and no lone pairs, so it is tetrahedral, while the carbon in carbon dioxide has only two regions of electron…
Correct answer: tetrahedral and linear- A. the central atoms become larger in that order
- B. the number of lone pairs on the central atom increases from zero to one to two
- C. the bonds become more ionic
- D. the molecules become heavier
Explanation: Each additional lone pair exerts stronger repulsion than a bond pair, squeezing the remaining bonds closer together, so the angle falls by…
Correct answer: the number of lone pairs on the central atom increases from zero to one to two7. According to VSEPR theory, a molecule with four bond pairs and no lone pairs on the central atom is
- A. linear
- B. trigonal planar
- C. tetrahedral
- D. bent
Explanation: Four regions of electron density spread as far apart as possible, which places them at the corners of a tetrahedron with angles of 109.5…
Correct answer: tetrahedral- A. tetrahedral
- B. octahedral
- C. trigonal bipyramidal
- D. square planar
Explanation: Six bond pairs around the central sulphur arrange themselves at 90 degrees to one another at the corners of an octahedron.
Correct answer: octahedral- A. zero
- B. one
- C. two
- D. three
Explanation: Oxygen has six valence electrons, two of which are used in bonding to the hydrogens, leaving two lone pairs.
Correct answer: two- A. H2O
- B. NH3
- C. BeCl2
- D. CH4
Explanation: Beryllium in beryllium chloride has only two bond pairs and no lone pairs, so they point in opposite directions at 180 degrees.
Correct answer: BeCl2- A. Bent or angular
- B. Trigonal
- C. Trigonal pyramidal
- D. Trigonal planar
Explanation: Four regions of electron density arrange themselves tetrahedrally, but only the three bonded atoms are visible, so the shape is a pyramid…
Correct answer: Trigonal pyramidal- A. Trigonal bipyramidal
- B. Linear
- C. Square bipyramidal
- D. Both A and C
Explanation: The triiodide ion, I3-, has five electron domains around the central iodine: two bonding pairs and three lone pairs.
Correct answer: Linear- A. O
- B. 1
- C. 2
- D. 3
Explanation: In XeOF4, xenon has five bonding regions around it, consisting of four Xe-F bonds and one Xe=O region, plus one lone pair.
Correct answer: 1- A. Triangular
- B. Square planner
- C. Trigonal bipyramidal
- D. Octahedral
Explanation: Five bonding electron pairs around a central atom arrange themselves as far apart as possible in a trigonal bipyramidal electron geometry…
Correct answer: Trigonal bipyramidal- A. 3 bond pair one lone pair
- B. 2 bond pair 2 lone pair
- C. 1 bond pair 3 lone pair
- D. 3 lone pair 1 bond pair
Explanation: A pyramidal molecular shape results when the central atom has three bonding pairs and one lone pair, as in NH3.
Correct answer: 3 bond pair one lone pair- A. Tetrahedral
- B. Square planner
- C. Trigonal bipyramidal
- D. Trigonal Pyramidal
Explanation: Ammonia has three N-H bonding pairs and one lone pair around nitrogen; the four electron pairs have tetrahedral electron arrangement, but…
Correct answer: Trigonal Pyramidal- A. Electron deficient
- B. Electron rich
- C. Octet is complete
- D. No such acids exist
Explanation: A Lewis acid accepts an electron pair, so it is commonly electron-deficient or has an incomplete octet, as in BF3 or AlCl3.
Correct answer: Electron deficient- A. C
- B. O
- C. F
- D. P
Explanation: Phosphorus can form compounds such as PCl5 in which it has ten electrons around the central atom, showing an expanded valence shell beyond…
Correct answer: P- A. VSEPR
- B. VBT
- C. MOT
- D. none of the above
Explanation: Molecular orbital theory is considered more comprehensive because it treats electrons as occupying molecular orbitals spread over the…
Correct answer: MOT- A. [Cr(H2O)6]Cl3
- B. [Cr(H2O)5Cl]Cl2.2H2O
- C. [Cr(H2O)4Cl2]Cl.2H2O
- D. [Cr(H2O)3Cl3].3H2O
Explanation: The answer is B) Cr(H2O)5Cl]Cl2.2H2O. The complex has a total of 6 ligands, 6 water molecules and 1 chloride ion.
Correct answer: [Cr(H2O)5Cl]Cl2.2H2OVSEPR Theory MCQs: common questions
Are these VSEPR Theory MCQs free?
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How many VSEPR Theory MCQs are on this page?
There are 36 VSEPR Theory MCQs in the Chemistry bank, shown 20 to a page with the correct answer and an explanation on each.
Does every VSEPR Theory MCQ have an explanation?
Yes. Each VSEPR Theory question shows the correct option and a written explanation of why it is correct, so a wrong answer teaches you something rather than just being marked wrong.
Can I take a timed VSEPR Theory test?
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