The molecular structure around the oxygen in water is ?
The molecular structure around all the carbons in ethanol is ?
Funny numbers
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To determine the molecular structure around the oxygen in water and all the carbons in ethanol, we need to understand the concept of Lewis structures and VSEPR theory.
1. Water (H2O):
The Lewis structure of water consists of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms. Oxygen has six valence electrons, and hydrogen has one valence electron each. Therefore, the total number of valence electrons in water is 6 (oxygen) + 1 (hydrogen) + 1 (hydrogen) = 8 electrons. The structure can be represented as:
H:O:H
To determine the molecular structure around oxygen, we apply the VSEPR theory. Oxygen has two lone pairs of electrons and forms two bonds with hydrogen. The electron pair geometry is tetrahedral, and the molecular structure is bent or V-shaped. This means that the hydrogen atoms are located on either side of the oxygen atom, forming a 104.5-degree angle.
2. Ethanol (C2H5OH):
The Lewis structure of ethanol consists of two carbon atoms, six hydrogen atoms, and one oxygen atom. Each carbon atom has four valence electrons, each hydrogen atom has one valence electron, and oxygen has six valence electrons. Therefore, the total number of valence electrons in ethanol is 4 (carbon) + 1 (hydrogen) + 4 (carbon) + 1 (hydrogen) + 1 (oxygen) = 11 electrons. The structure can be represented as:
H H H H C C O H H H
To determine the molecular structure around each carbon atom, we apply the VSEPR theory. Each carbon atom forms four bonds: three with hydrogen atoms and one with the oxygen atom. Carbon has no lone pairs of electrons. The electron pair geometry around each carbon atom is tetrahedral, and the molecular structure is linear. This means that the three hydrogen atoms form a straight line with the carbon atom, while the other bond extends to the oxygen atom.
In summary, the molecular structure around the oxygen in water is bent or V-shaped. The molecular structure around each carbon in ethanol is linear.