How many lone pairs of electrons are on the S atom in SF4

11) How many lone pairs of electrons are on the S atom in SF4 ?

A) 0

B) 1

C) 2

D) 3

12) How many lone pairs are on the Br atom in BrCl2-?

A) 0

B) 1

C) 2

D) 3

13) In the best Lewis structure for NO +, what is the formal charge on the N atom?

A) -1

B) 0

C) +1

D) +2

4.3   Short Answer Questions

1) Among the compounds H3C–CH3, H2C=CH2, and HCCH, the compound with the strongest carbon-carbon bond is ________, and the compound with the longest carbon-carbon bond is ________.

2) Ionic compounds consist of a single three-dimensional network of ions that are attracted to one another by strong ________ and usually exist in the solid state at room temperature, whereas covalent compounds consist of molecules that are attracted to one another by weak ________ and can exist in gaseous, liquid, or solid state at room temperature.

3) Of the bonds C–C, C–N, C–O, and C–F, the bond that is most polar is ________.

4) The Lewis electron-dot structure of N2 has ________ nonbonding electrons pairs, ________ bonding electron pairs, and a bond order of ________.

5) The Lewis electron-dot structure of H2CO has ________ nonbonding electron pairs, ________ bonding electron pairs, and a carbon-oxygen bond order of ________.

6) The number of Lewis electron dot resonance structures required to describe NO2– is ________.

7) Based on formal charges, the best Lewis electron-dot structure of BF3 has a B–F bond order = ________.

The Correct Answer and Explanation is :

Answers and Explanations:


11) How many lone pairs of electrons are on the S atom in SF₄?

Answer: B) 1

Explanation:

  • Sulfur (S) in SF₄ has 6 valence electrons.
  • Each fluorine atom forms a single bond with sulfur, using 4 electrons.
  • The remaining 2 electrons form a lone pair on sulfur.
  • SF₄ adopts a seesaw geometry due to this lone pair.

12) How many lone pairs are on the Br atom in BrCl₂⁻?

Answer: D) 3

Explanation:

  • Bromine (Br) has 7 valence electrons. In BrCl₂⁻:
  • Each chlorine atom forms a single bond with Br, using 2 electrons total.
  • The extra negative charge adds 1 electron.
  • This leaves 6 electrons, or 3 lone pairs, on the Br atom.

13) In the best Lewis structure for NO⁺, what is the formal charge on the N atom?

Answer: C) +1

Explanation:

  • The nitrogen-oxygen (NO⁺) molecule has 10 total valence electrons (N: 5, O: 6, and -1 due to the positive charge).
  • A triple bond forms between N and O, with one lone pair on O.
  • Formal charge on N = (5 valence electrons) – (2 nonbonding + 3 bonding pairs) = +1.

4.3 Short Answer Questions

1) The compound with the strongest carbon-carbon bond is HC≡CH, and the compound with the longest carbon-carbon bond is H₃C–CH₃.

Explanation:

  • Triple bonds (HC≡CH) are stronger than double (H₂C=CH₂) and single bonds (H₃C–CH₃).
  • Single bonds are longer than double or triple bonds.

**2) Ionic compounds consist of a single three-dimensional network of ions that are attracted to one another by strong *electrostatic forces*, and covalent compounds consist of molecules that are attracted to one another by weak **intermolecular forces.


3) The bond that is most polar is C–F.

Explanation:

  • Electronegativity difference between C (2.5) and F (4.0) is greater than for the other bonds.

4) The Lewis electron-dot structure of N₂ has:

  • Nonbonding electron pairs = 2
  • Bonding electron pairs = 3
  • Bond order = 3

Explanation:

  • N₂ has a triple bond and one lone pair on each nitrogen atom.

5) The Lewis electron-dot structure of H₂CO has:

  • Nonbonding electron pairs = 2
  • Bonding electron pairs = 4
  • Carbon-oxygen bond order = 2

Explanation:

  • H₂CO has a double bond between C and O, with 2 lone pairs on O.

6) The number of Lewis electron dot resonance structures required to describe NO₂⁻ is 2.

Explanation:

  • Resonance occurs due to delocalized electrons in the N=O bonds.

7) Based on formal charges, the best Lewis electron-dot structure of BF₃ has a B–F bond order = 1.

Explanation:

  • BF₃ has no resonance and all B–F bonds are single, as boron lacks an octet in this configuration. Formal charges are minimized this way.
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