Answer: sp 3 d (trigonal bipyramidal, linear molecule with 3 lone pairs).
- A sp<sup>3</sup>d (trigonal bipyramidal, linear molecule with 3 lone pairs)
- B sp<sup>3</sup>, giving a simple tetrahedral electron arrangement in most textbook accounts
- C sp<sup>2</sup>, giving a trigonal planar electron arrangement during normal conditions
- D sp<sup>3</sup>d<sup>2</sup>, giving an octahedral electron arrangement as generally observed
Correct answer: A. sp<sup>3</sup>d (trigonal bipyramidal, linear molecule with 3 lone pairs)
Explanation: Xe in XeF<sub>2</sub> has 2 bonds and 3 lone pairs (total 5 electron pairs): sp<sup>3</sup>d hybridisation, trigonal bipyramidal shape, linear molecule (lone pairs equatorial).
Xenon tetrafluoride (XeF4) has six electron domains around xenon — four Xe–F bonds plus two lone pairs. The lone pairs occupy opposite axial positions, leaving the four fluorine atoms in a square-planar shape (Xe–F ≈ 194 pm). Image: ChemSim, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Concept context
Covers the nitrogen family (Group 15), oxygen family (Group 16), halogens (Group 17), and noble gases (Group 18). One of the highest-weightage inorganic chapters in NEET and JEE - includes preparation and properties of HNO₃, H₂SO₄, interhalogens, and xenon compounds.