Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

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Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure — solved practice questions

8 NEET Chemistry questions with step-by-step solutions. Attempt each, then reveal the answer.

1. Q1easy

   According to VSEPR theory, what is the shape of the SF6 molecule?

   • ATrigonal bipyramidal
   • BSquare planar
   • COctahedral
   • DTetrahedral
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (C) Octahedral

   SF6 has 6 bond pairs and no lone pair on sulphur, giving sp3d2 hybridization and an octahedral shape.

2. Q2easy

   Which of the following molecules has a non-zero dipole moment?

   • ACO2
   • BH2O
   • CBF3
   • DCCl4
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (B) H2O

   In H2O the two O–H bond dipoles do not cancel because of the bent shape (lone pairs), so it has a net dipole. CO2, BF3 and CCl4 are symmetric and non-polar.

3. Q3medium

   The hybridization of the central atom in the ClF3 molecule is:

   • Asp3
   • Bsp3d2
   • Csp2
   • Dsp3d
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (D) sp3d

   ClF3 has 3 bond pairs and 2 lone pairs on chlorine (5 electron domains), giving sp3d hybridization and a T-shaped geometry.

4. Q4medium

   According to molecular orbital theory, the bond order of the O2 molecule is:

   • A2
   • B1
   • C2.5
   • D3
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (A) 2

   O2 has 16 electrons: bond order = (bonding − antibonding)/2 = (10 − 6)/2 = 2. It is paramagnetic due to two unpaired electrons in pi* orbitals.

5. Q5medium

   Which of the following species is paramagnetic according to molecular orbital theory?

   • AN2
   • BF2
   • CO2
   • DCO
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (C) O2

   O2 has two unpaired electrons in its degenerate pi-antibonding orbitals, making it paramagnetic. N2, F2 and CO have all electrons paired (diamagnetic).

6. Q6hard

   The correct order of increasing bond angle among the following molecules is:

   • ACH4 < NH3 < H2O
   • BH2O < NH3 < CH4
   • CNH3 < H2O < CH4
   • DH2O < CH4 < NH3
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (B) H2O < NH3 < CH4

   More lone pairs on the central atom increase bond-pair compression, decreasing the angle. Bond angles: H2O (104.5) < NH3 (107) < CH4 (109.5), so increasing order is H2O < NH3 < CH4.

7. Q7hard

   Which of the following molecules is expected to have the highest bond enthalpy of the diatomic bond?

   • AN2
   • BO2
   • CF2
   • DCl2
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (A) N2

   N2 has a triple bond (bond order 3) and one of the highest bond enthalpies among diatomics (about 941 kJ/mol), higher than O2 (double bond) and the single bonds in F2 and Cl2.

8. Q8medium

   In which of the following molecules is the octet rule not obeyed by the central atom (electron-deficient)?

   • ACH4
   • BNH3
   • CH2O
   • DBF3
   Show answer & solution

   Correct answer: (D) BF3

   In BF3 boron has only 6 electrons around it, making it electron-deficient. In CH4, NH3 and H2O the central atom completes its octet.

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