Question

If you know the formula of a molecule or ion, what is the first step in predicting its shape?

Short answer

The first step in predicting its shape is finding its outermost shell electron or valence shell.

Step-by-step solution

Lewis Structure

A Lewis structure can be defined as the basic structure of a molecule that used the valence electron of each atom involved.In Lewis’s structure, the smallest amountof electronegative atom is going to be the central atom. The Lewis structure is based on the valence shell electron of an atom. It can predict the number of bonds.

Shape prediction step

The shape predicting the first step of the molecule or ion is finding the outermost shell electron. If we know the valence shell electronthen we can find out how much electron molecule can donate or gain or can share with another molecule. On the behalf of the valence shell, we can find out with what number it can bond. The valence shell electron can find out by using electronic configurationbased on atomic number.