Question

answer the questions in the table below about the shape of the trifluoride (nf₃) molecule. how many electron groups are around the central nitrogen atom? note: one \electron group\ means one lone pair, one single bond, one double bond, or one triple bond. what phrase best describes the arrangement of these electron groups around the central nitrogen atom? (you may need to use the scrollbar to see all the choices.)

Explanation:

Step1: Determine bonding and lone - pairs

Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons. In $NF_3$, it forms 3 single bonds with fluorine atoms and has 1 lone - pair. So the total number of electron groups is the sum of single bonds and lone - pairs.
$3$ (single bonds) $+ 1$ (lone - pair)$=4$

Step2: Identify electron - group arrangement

According to VSEPR (Valence - Shell Electron - Pair Repulsion) theory, when there are 4 electron groups around a central atom, the electron - group arrangement is tetrahedral.

Answer:

How many electron groups are around the central nitrogen atom: 4
What phrase best describes the arrangement of these electron groups around the central nitrogen atom: tetrahedral