ACS Chemistry Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

To determine the electron domain geometry of a molecule with 2 electron domains and 2 bonding pairs, it is important to understand the relationship between electron domains, bonding pairs, and molecular geometry.

In this case, the presence of 2 electron domains indicates that we have two areas of electron density around the central atom. Since both of these electron domains are bonding pairs, they are associated with atoms that are bonded to the central atom. With two bonding pairs and no lone pairs, the electron domains will arrange themselves as far apart as possible to minimize repulsion, following the principles of VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory.

When there are 2 electron domains, the optimal arrangement in three-dimensional space is linear, which positions the bonding atoms at a 180-degree angle from one another. This configuration leads to the electron domain geometry being classified as linear.

Thus, with 2 electron domains and both of them involved in bonding, the correct electron domain geometry is indeed linear.