A central atom has two lone pairs on opposite sides and four single bonds. What is the molecule geometry of the result? A. octahedral

B. tetrahedral

C. square planar

D. linear

The correct answer is C. square planar

According to the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory(VSEPR), The shape of a molecule depends on the number of electron pairs in the molecule.

VSEPR theory was first coined by Gillespie  and Nyhlom in 1957 as an improvement over the Sidgwick - Powell theory.

According to this theory, the shape of a molecule is determined by the number of electron pairs that surround the valence shell of the central atom in the molecule.  The electron pairs are positioned as far apart in space as possible to minimize repulsion of electron pairs.

However, the presence of lone pairs distorts the shape anticipated for the molecule on the basis of VSEPR.

For a molecule having six electron pairs, an octahedral geometry is expected(electron domain geometry). However, the presence of two lone pairs which are positioned at opposite side of the four single bonds leads to an observed square planar molecular geometry.

square planar

Explanation: