Question

answer the questions in the table below about the shape of the xenon difluoride (xef₂) molecule.
how many electron groups are around the central xenon 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 xenon atom? (you may need to use the scrollbar to see all the choices.)
select
linear
bent
t - shaped
trigonal planar
trigonal pyramidal
square planar
square pyramidal
tetrahedral
sawhorse

Explanation:

Step1: Determine valence - electrons of Xe

Xe has 8 valence electrons, and each F atom contributes 1 electron for bonding. In $XeF_2$, there are 2 Xe - F bonds.

Step2: Calculate electron - groups around Xe

The number of bonding pairs is 2 (Xe - F bonds), and the number of lone - pairs on Xe is $\frac{8 - 2\times1}{2}=3$. So the total number of electron groups around Xe is $2 + 3=5$.

Step3: Identify electron - group arrangement

According to VSEPR (Valence - Shell Electron - Pair Repulsion) theory, when there are 5 electron groups around a central atom, the electron - group arrangement is trigonal bipyramidal.

Answer:

How many electron groups are around the central xenon atom? 5
What phrase best describes the arrangement of these electron groups around the central xenon atom? trigonal bipyramidal