Department of Education

National Capital Region

S CHOOLS DIVIS ION OFFICE
MARIK INA CITY
General Chemistry 1
Second Quarter-Module 4:
Geometry of Molecules

Writer: Russel S. Berador

Illustrator: Christine Ann G. Faraon
Cover Illustrator: Christine Ann G. Faraon

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 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the concepts and ideas in Chemistry. The scope of this module permits it to
be used in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the
diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard
sequence of the course.

After going through this module, you are expected to

1. describe the geometry of simple compounds STEM_GC11CBIId-g-81
2. determine the polarity of simple molecules STEM_GC11CBIId-g-82

What I Know

Read each question carefully. Choose the letter of the best answer.

1. Which molecules would have this shape?

A. BF3 C. CO2
B. CH4 D. PCl5
2. What is the shape bond angle of this molecule?

A. Bent, 120 C. Tetrahedral, 109.5

B. Linear, 180 D. Trigonal Planar, 120
3. A molecular geometry with 2 lone pairs and 2 bonding pairs is _______.
A. Bent C. Tetrahedral
B. Linear D. Trigonal pyramidal
4. Which of the following will have this geometry?
A. CCl4 C. H2S
B. HCl D. NH3
5. Which of the following has bond angles of 120 degrees?
A. bent C. trigonal planar
B. tetrahedral D. trigonal pyramidal

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 6. What is the molecular shape of PCl3
A. bent C. trigonal planar
B. linear D. trigonal pyramidal
7. What is the molecular shape of water?
A. bent C. trigonal planar
B. linear D. trigonal pyramidal
8. What is the molecular shape if the central atom is found in group 13?
A. bent C. trigonal planar
B. linear D. trigonal pyramidal
9. What is the molecular shape of carbon dioxide?
A. bent C. trigonal planar
B. linear D. trigonal pyramidal
10. Which molecule is polar?
A. CH4 C. H2S
B. CO2 D. N2
11. What is the molecular shape of CCl4
A. bent C. tetrahedral
B. linear D. trigonal pyramidal
12. Which description below correctly describes BH2F?
A. BH2F is trigonal planar and overall polar.
B. BH2F is trigonal pyramidal and overall polar.
C. BH2F is trigonal planar and overall nonpolar.
D. BH2F is trigonal pyramidal and overall nonpolar.
13. Which formula represents a nonpolar molecule?
A. N2 C. H2Se
B. NH3 D. CCl3H
14. What is the molecular shape of all diatomic molecules?
A. bent C. trigonal planar
B. linear D. trigonal pyramidal
15. How is molecular shape of all diatomic molecules?
A. Shape is determined by BrINCIHOF.
B. Shape determined by the repulsion of the protons in the bonded atoms.
C. Shape is determined by the repulsion of the neutrons in the bonded
atoms.
D. Shape is determined by the repulsion of the electrons pairs in the
bonded atoms.

Lesson Geometry of Molecules

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 What’s In

Second Quarter module 4 determines the shapes of molecules, we become

acquainted with the Lewis electron dot structure.The Lewis theory does not
determine the shapes of molecules, it is the first step in predicting the shapes of
molecules.Lewis structure helps us identify the bond pairs and the lone pairs. Then,
with the Lewis structure, we apply the valence-shell electron-pair repulsion (VSPER)
theory that determines the molecular geometry and the electron-group geometry.
To determine a complete description of the three-dimensional shape of a
molecule, we need to know also about the state the bond angle as well. Lewis Electron
Dot Structures are important in determining the geometry of molecules because it
helps us identify the valence electrons.

What’s New

Molecular geometry is also known as the molecular structure, the three-

dimensional structure and arrangement of atoms in a molecule. The molecular
structure of a compound can help determine the polarity, reactivity, phase of matter,
color, magnetism, and biological activity.

Activity 1
Determine the geometric structures of CO2. Starting off by drawing the Lewis
structure.
Example: H2O

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 What Is It
Valence-Shell Electron-Pair Repulsion Theory
Now, that we have a knowledge in the Lewis electron dot structure we can use
it to locate the valence electrons of the center atom. The valence-shell electron-pair
repulsion (VSEPR) theory defines that electron pairs repel each other or whether not
they are in bond pairs or in lone pairs. Electron pairs will spread themselves as far
from each other as possible to minimize repulsion. VSEPR focuses on electron pairs
and also focus on electron groups as a whole. An electron group is an electron pair,
a lone pair, a single unpaired electron, a double bond or a triple bond on the center
atom. The VSEPR theory, the electron bond pairs and lone pairs on the center atom
help us predict the shape of a molecule.
The shape of a molecule can be determined by the location of the nuclei and
its electrons. The electrons and the nuclei settle into positions that minimize
repulsion or maximize attraction. The molecule's shape reflects its equilibrium state
in which it has the lowest possible energy in the system. Thus,VSEPR theory predicts
the distribution of the electrons, we need to take in consideration of the actual
determinant of the molecular shape. We separate this into two categories, the
electron-group geometry and the molecular geometry.

Electron-group geometry is determined by the number of electron groups.

Molecular geometry depends on not only on the number of electron groups,

but also on the number of lone pairs. When the electron groups are all bond pairs,
they are named exactly like the electron-group geometry.

VSEPR Notation
Molecular geometry and electron-group geometry are the same when there are
no lone pairs. VSEPR notation for these molecules are AXn. "A" represents the central
atom and n represents the number of bonds with the central atom. Thus, the lone
pairs are present, the letter Ex is added. The x represents the number of lone pairs
present in the molecule. For instance, a molecule with two bond pairs and two lone
pairs would have this notation: AX2E2.

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Molecules with More than One Central Atom
VSEPR theory not only applies to one central atom, but it also applies to
molecules with more than one central atom. We consider the geometric distribution
of the terminal atoms around each central atom. Thus, the final description, we
combine the separate description of each atom. In short, we take long chain
molecules and break it down into pieces. Each piece will form a particular shape.
Butane is C4H10 ( C-C-C-C ) is the structural formula where the Hydrogens
(not shown) shows to have single bonds to Carbon. If we break down each Carbon,
the central atoms, into pieces, we can learn the relative shape of each section. Let

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us start with the leftmost side. We see that C has three single bonds to 2 Hydrogens
and one single bond to Carbon. It means that we have 4 electron groups. Now,by
checking the geometry of molecules chart above, we have a tetrahedral shape. Let us
move on to the next Carbon. This Carbon has 2 single bonds to 2 Carbons and 2
single bonds to 2 Hydrogens. Again, we have 4 electron groups which result in a
tetrahedral. Continuing this trend, we have another tetrahedral with single bonds
attached to Hydrogen and Carbon atoms. Furthermore,the rightmost Carbon, we
also have a tetrahedral where Carbon binds with one Carbon and 3 Hydrogens.

Bond Angles
Bond angle is the angle between adjacent lines representing bonds. Bond
angle will help us differentiate between linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, trigonal-
bipyramidal, and octahedral. Bond angles also contribute to the shape of a molecule.
Ideal bond angle is the angle that shows the maximum angle where it would minimize
repulsion, so verifying the VSEPR theory.
Importantly, bond angles are telling us that electrons don't like to be near
each other. Electrons are negative. Two negatives don't attract. Like, the two negative
people will be mean towards each other and they won't like each other. Thus, they
will be far away from each other. We can apply this idea to electrons. Electrons are
alike in charge and will repel each other. The farthest way they can get away from
each other is through angles.
Why is it that 90 degrees do not work? Well, when we draw out a tetrahedral
on a 2-D plane, then we get 90 degrees. But, we live in a 3-D world. To understand
this, think about movies. Movies in 3D pop out at us. Before, we see movies that are
just on the screen and that's good. What's better 3D or 2D? For bond angles, 3D is
better. So, tetrahedral have a bond angle of 109.5 degrees. Using the given example,
we would add that H2O has a bond angle of 109.5° and CO2 would have a bond angle
of 180°.

Steps Used to Find the Shape of the Molecule

Four simple steps to apply the VSEPR theory.
1. Draw the Lewis Structure.
2. Count the number of electron groups and identify them as bond pairs of electron
groups or lone pairs of electrons. Don’t forget electron groups include not only bonds,
but also lone pairs.
3. Name the electron-group geometry. (State if it is linear, trigonal-planar,
tetrahedral, trigonal-bipyramidal, or octahedral.)
4. Looking at the positions of other atomic nuclei around the central analyze the
molecular geometry. (See how many lone pairs there are.)

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Dipole Moments
When the electrons are not distributed equally and the molecule has two poles
a molecule is polar. The more electronegative end of the molecule is the negative end
and the less electronegative end is the positive end. The usual example is HCl. Using
the capital sigma + or - as a symbol to show the positive end and the negative end
we can write the net dipole. So sigma + would be on the hydrogen atom and sigma -
would be on the Chlorine atom. Using the cross bow arrow, we can show that it has
a net dipole. The net dipole is the measurable, which is called the dipole moment.
Dipole moment is equal to the product of the partial charge and the distance. The
equation for dipole moment is as follows.

Now, on the cross-base arrow, the cross represents the positive charge and
the arrow represents the negative charge.

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 Thus, there is another way to determine dipole moments. We need to
understand electronegativity which is abbreviated EN. EN is how much an element
really wants an electron. What if we are not given EN? Fortunately, there is a trend
in the periodic table for EN. From bottom to the top, EN will increase. From left to
right, EN will increase. The most electronegative element is Fluorine with 4.0.
Oxygen has a greater EN than Hydrogen. Thus, we can draw or write a cross
bow arrow towards Oxygen. We have two arrows because Oxygen is bonded to two
Hydrogens. Therefore, both arrows point toward Oxygen and we can say that there
is a net EN. We added the arrows that point to Oxygen and we end up with a new,
bigger arrow. But, when arrows are drawn away from each other like <--- and --->,
then we are more likely to have no net EN because the molecule is symmetrical.
Check again the Lewis dot diagram of CO2. The shape is linear and the EN arrows
point towards Oxygen. The arrows are opposite of each other and have the same EN
difference. So, we have no net charge and the molecule is non-polar.

Determining Polarity
Three ways on determining whether a molecule is polar or not.
A. When the molecule has a net dipole, then it is polar.
B. When the structure is symmetric, then it is non-polar
C. There are three rules to this part:
1. When there are no lone pairs on the center atom, so the molecule is
non-polar
2. When it is linear or square planar, so it is non-polar. (This rule is more
important than rule 1, so it overrules it because it has lone pairs.)
3. When it has different terminal atoms, then it is polar. (This rule
overrules rule 1 and 2 because it is more important.)

What’s More

Activity 2

Draw the Lewis Structure and name the shape of each compound.

1. HClO3
2. SO3
3. PCl4
4. C2H4
5. SnCl3-

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Activity 3
Name the shape and determine whether they are polar or non-polar.

What I Have Learned

Activity 4
Fill in the blanks with word/s that will best complete the following statements.
1. The _______ theory states that electron pairs repel each other whether or not
they are in bond pairs or in lone pairs.
2. Molecular geometry, also known as the _________ is the three-dimensional
structure or arrangement of atoms in a molecule.
3. _________ are the angles between adjacent lines representing bonds.
4. The _______ are the angles that demonstrate the maximum angle where it
would minimize repulsion, thus verifying the VSEPR theory.
5. A molecule is ______ when the electrons are not distributed equally and the
molecule has two poles.
6. ______ is equal to the product of the partial charge and the distance.

What I Can Do

As you reflect on the geometry of molecules. Now, try to answer the given
questions.
1. How are molecular geometry and dipole moments related to physical properties
such as melting point and boiling point?

2. When a chemist says that a molecule is polar, what does this mean? What are the
general physical properties of polar molecules?

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 Assessment
Read each question carefully. Choose the letter of the best answer.

1. Which of the following has bond angles of 120 degrees?

A. bent C. trigonal planar
B. tetrahedral D. trigonal pyramidal
2. Which molecule is polar?
A. CH4 C. H2S
B. CO2 D. N2
3. A molecular geometry with 2 lone pairs and 2 bonding pairs is _______.
A. Bent C. Tetrahedral
B. Linear D. Trigonal pyramidal
4. What is the molecular shape of all diatomic molecules?
A. bent C. trigonal planar
B. linear D. trigonal pyramidal
5. Which molecules would have this shape?

A. Bent, 120 C. Tetrahedral, 109.5

B. Linear, 180 D. Trigonal Planar, 120
6. What is the molecular shape of PCl3
A. bent C. trigonal planar
B. linear D. trigonal pyramidal
7. What is the molecular shape of water?
A. bent C. trigonal planar
B. linear D. trigonal pyramidal
8. What is the molecular shape of all diatomic molecules?
A. bent C. trigonal planar
B. linear D. trigonal pyramidal
9. What is the molecular shape of carbon dioxide?
A. bent C. trigonal planar
B. linear D. trigonal pyramidal
10. What is the shape bond angle of this molecule?

A. Bent, 120 C. Tetrahedral, 109.5

B. Linear, 180 D. Trigonal Planar, 120
11. What is the molecular shape of CCl4

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 A. bent C. tetrahedral
B. linear D. trigonal pyramidal
12. How is molecular shape of all diatomic molecules?
A. Shape is determined by BrINCIHOF.
B. Shape is determined by the repulsion of the protons in the bonded
atoms.
C. Shape is determined by the repulsion of the neutrons in the bonded
atoms.
D. Shape is determined by the repulsion of the electrons pairs in the
bonded atoms.
13. Which formula represents a nonpolar molecule?
A. N2 C. H2Se
B. NH3 D. CCl3H
14. What is the molecular shape if the central atom is found in group 13?
A. bent C. trigonal planar
B. linear D. trigonal pyramidal

15. Which description below correctly describes BH2F?

A. BH2F is trigonal planar and overall polar.
B. BH2F is trigonal pyramidal and overall polar.
C. BH2F is trigonal planar and overall nonpolar.
D. BH2F is trigonal pyramidal and overall nonpolar.

Additional Activities

Give the number of electron groups around the central atom and the molecular
geometry for each molecule. Classify the electron groups in each species as
bonding pairs or lone pairs.

1. BF3
2. PCl3
3. XeF2
4. AlCl4−
5. CH2Cl2

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 References

(1) "Geometry of Molecules." Chemistry LibreTexts. Last modified August 21, 2020.
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Physical_and_Theoretical_C
hemistry_Textbook

(2) "Chapter 5.1: Predicting the Geometry of Molecules." Chemistry LibreTexts. Last
modified August 11, 2020.
https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/Prince_Georges_Community_Co
llege/Chemistry

(3) "Search for Quizzes." Quizizz — The World’s Most Engaging Learning
Platform. Accessed October 19, 2020.
https://quizizz.com/quiz/5f8c477bfdc389001b87711a/edit.

(4) Goldberg, David E., 2007. Fundamentals of Chemistry (Fifth Edition),

Mc Graw Hill International Edition: 361-364.

(5) Wilbraham, Staley, & Matta, Michael C., 1997. Chemistry (Fourth
Edition), Addison-Wesley Publishing Company: 411-412.

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 Development Team of the Module
Writer: Russel S. Berador (SEHS)
Editors: Russel S. Berador (SEHS)
Emily G. Santos (PSDS)
Reviewer: Jessica S. Mateo (EPS – Science)
Illustrator: Coleen Michelle L. Magalong (SEHS)
Layout Artist: Christine Ann G. Faraon (BNHS)
Management Team:
Sheryll T. Gayola
Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
OIC, Office of the Schools Division Superintendent

Elisa O. Cerveza
Chief, Curriculum Implementation Division
OIC, Office of the Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

Ivy Coney A. Gamatero

Education Program Supervisor – Learning Resource Management Section

For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Schools Division Office- Marikina City

191 Shoe Ave., Sta. Elena, Marikina City, 1800, Philippines

Telefax: (02) 8682-2472 / 8682-3989

Email Address: sdo.marikina@deped.gov.ph

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