Question

Consider the following molecules/ions:

$S{O}_2,C{O}_2,N_{2}O,O{F}_2,{IC{l}_2}^{-},{I_3}^{-},N{O}_2,{N{O}_2}^{-},{N{O}_2}^{+},{B{F}_2}^{-},BeC{l}_2,{N_3}^{-},HCN.$

Among the above, the number of molecules/ions which are linear is:

Answer 1

In total, eight molecules/ions are linear.

$C{O}_2,N_{2}O,N{O}_2^{+},BeC{l}_2,N_3^{-}$ and $HCN:$ The central atom in these six molecules/ions are 'sp' hybridized. Hence, they are all linear.

$IC{l}_2^{-}$ and $I_3^{-}:$ These two have iodine as the central atom in $s{p}^{3}d$ hybridization and 3 equatorial lone pairs. Hence, the molecules/ions are linear.

$S{O}_2,N{O}_2^{-},N{O}_2$ and $B{F}_2^{-}:$ These are all $s{p}^2$ hybridized. The molecules are non-linear.

$O{F}_2$ has $s{p}^3$ hybridized $O$ atom. The molecule is non-linear like water.