IB Higher Level Chemistry

Chemical Bonding and Structure

Revision Questions

1. What is the electron configuration of Fe3+?

A. [Ar]4s23d6

B. [Ar]3d5

C. [Ar]4s23d5

D. [Ar]4s23d3
(Total 1 mark)

2. Which molecule has an octahedral shape?

A. SF6

B. PCl5

C. XeF4

D. BF3
(Total 1 mark)

3. The Lewis structure of XeF2 contains two bonding pairs of electrons and three non-bonding
pairs of electrons (lone pairs) around the central xenon atom. What is the shape of XeF2
molecule?

A. Bent

B. Trigonal bipyramidal

C. Square planar

D. Linear
(Total 1 mark)

4. How many lone pairs and bonding pairs of electrons surround xenon in the XeF4 molecule?

Lone pairs Bonding pairs

A. 4 8
B. 0 8
C. 0 4
D. 2 4
(Total 1 mark)

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IB Higher Level Chemistry

5. How many bonding pairs and lone pairs of electrons surround the sulfur atom in the SF4
molecule?

Bonding pairs Lone pairs

A. 4 1
B. 4 0
C. 6 0
D. 8 2
(Total 1 mark)

6. Which species have delocalized electrons?

A. I and II only

B. I and III only

C. II and III only

D. I, II and III
(Total 1 mark)

7. Which species does not have delocalized electrons?

A. NO3–

B. NO2–

C. O3

D. C3H6
(Total 1 mark)

8. Which species does not contain delocalized electrons?

A. CH3CH2O–

B. CH3CO2–

C. O3

D. NO3–
(Total 1 mark)

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IB Higher Level Chemistry

9. Which statements about σ and π bonds are correct?

I. σ bonds result from the axial overlap of orbitals.

II. σ bonds only form from s orbitals.

III. π bonds result from the sideways overlap of parallel p orbitals.

A. I and II only

B. I and III only

C. II and III only

D. I, II and III
(Total 1 mark)

10. Which of the following best describes the formation of π bonds?

A. They are formed by the sideways overlap of parallel orbitals.

B. They are formed by the axial overlap of orbitals.

C. They are formed by the sideways overlap of an s and p orbital.

D. They are formed by the axial overlap of either s or p orbitals.

(Total 1 mark)

11. How many sigma (σ) bonds are present in (CH3)2C=CClCH2CH3?

A. 1

B. 4

C. 16

D. 17
(Total 1 mark)

12. How many σ and π bonds are present in a molecule of propyne, CH3CCH?

σ π
A. 5 3
B. 6 2
C. 7 1
D. 8 0
(Total 1 mark)

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IB Higher Level Chemistry

13. How many sigma (σ) and pi (π) bonds are present in the structure of HCN?

σ π
A. 1 3
B. 2 3
C. 2 2
D. 3 1
(Total 1 mark)

14. How many sigma and pi bonds are there in propyne, CH3CCH?

A. 2 sigma and 2 pi

B. 7 sigma and 1 pi

C. 6 sigma and 2 pi

D. 5 sigma and 3 pi
(Total 1 mark)

15. What is the hybridization of the carbon atom, and the number of σ and π bonds in the methanal
molecule?

Hybridization σ bonds π bonds

A. sp2 3 1
B. sp3 3 1
C. sp3 4 0
D. sp2 4 0
(Total 1 mark)

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IB Higher Level Chemistry

16. Identify the hybridization of carbon atoms in this molecule

1 2 3 4
A. sp3 sp2 sp2 sp2
B. sp2 sp2 sp2 sp
C. sp3 sp sp2 sp
D. sp sp2 sp sp2
(Total 1 mark)

17. In which substance does a carbon atom have sp2 hybridization?

A. 2-methylbutan-1-ol

B. Propyne, CH3CCH

C. C60 fullerene

D. Diamond
(Total 1 mark)

18. In which compound are all the carbon atoms sp2 hybridized?

(Total 1 mark)

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IB Higher Level Chemistry

19. Draw the Lewis structures, state the shape and predict the bond angles for the following species.

(i) PCl3
(3)

(ii) NH2–
(3)

(iii) XeF4
(3)

(Total 9 marks)

20. Draw the Lewis structures, state the shapes and predict the bond angles for the following
species.

(i) SiF62–
(3)

(ii) NO2+
(3)

(Total 6 marks)

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IB Higher Level Chemistry

21. Describe the delocalization of pi (π) electrons and explain how this can account for the structure
and stability of the carbonate ion, CO32–.

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(Total 3 marks)

22. (i) Apply the VSEPR theory to deduce the shape of NO 2− , ICl5 and SF4. For each species,
draw the Lewis (electron dot) structure, name the shape, and state the value of the bond
angle(s).
(9)

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IB Higher Level Chemistry

(ii) Discuss the bond angle(s) in SF4.

(1)

(iii) Explain the hybridization involved in the C2H4 molecule.

(4)

(iv) State the hybridization involved in the NO 2− ion and comment on the nitrogen-oxygen
bond distances.
(2)

(v) Using Table 7 of the Data Booklet, predict and explain which of the bonds O-H, O-N or
N-H would be most polar.

(2)

(Total 18 marks)

23. Explain the meaning of the term hybridization. State the type of hybridization shown by the
carbon atoms in carbon dioxide, diamond, graphite and the carbonate ion.

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(Total 5 marks)

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IB Higher Level Chemistry

24. (a) But-2-ene is a straight-chain alkene with formula C4H8. The molecule contains both σ
and π bonds.

(i) Explain the formation of the π bond.

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(2)

(ii) For each of the carbon atoms, C(1) and C(2), identify the type of hybridization
shown.

C(1): ..................................................................................................................

C(2): ..................................................................................................................
(1)

(b) But-2-ene shows geometrical isomerism. Draw the structural formula and state the name
of the other geometrical isomer.

......................................................................................................................................
(2)

(c) Identify the structural formula of an isomer of but-2-ene which does not decolorize
bromine water, Br2(aq).
(1)

(Total 6 marks)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 9