Answer: Hard acids (ionic, high charge density, low polarisability).
- A Hard acids (ionic, high charge density, low polarisability)
- B Soft acids characterised by large, easily polarisable electron clouds
- C Large, highly polarisable acids regardless of charge density
- D Acids that bond predominantly through covalent sharing
Correct answer: A. Hard acids (ionic, high charge density, low polarisability)
Explanation: In HSAB theory, hard acid-hard base and soft acid-soft base combinations are preferred. Hard species are small, highly charged, and low in polarisability.
VSEPR theory predicts molecular shape from the number of bonding and lone electron pairs around the central atom.
Concept context
Understand how atoms join to form molecules. Covers ionic and covalent bonding, VSEPR theory, hybridization (sp, sp², sp³), molecular orbital theory, bond polarity, and intermolecular forces like hydrogen bonding.
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