MOLECULAR GEOMETRY magnitude but opposite in sign.

In a simpler manner, a dipole

What is molecular geometry? Why do we need to know about
the geometry of molecules?
Molecular geometry pertains to the three-dimensional
arrangement of atoms in a molecule. Geometry affects the
physical and chemical properties of molecules and their
reactivity towards other molecules.
Molecular geometry can be determined by experiment
such as x-ray diffraction. However, the geometry of simple
molecules can be predicted even without experimentation.
While the results of the prediction are only qualitative and not
as accurate as experiment, they still help in explaining the
properties of chemical substances.
The molecular geometry of molecules or ions that
contain only a few atoms can be predicted by using the
molecule’s Lewis structure and the valence shell electron pair
repulsion (VSEPR) theory. The VSEPR theory suggests that
electron pairs around an atom assume an arrangement in
space that reduces the repulsion between them. This
arrangement depends on the number and type of electron
pairs (whether bonding or nonbonding) present in the molecule
or ion.
The theory as applied to a central atom with two, three, and
four electron pairs surrounding it are as follows:
has both a positive and a negative end. In the presence of an
electric field, the positive end of the molecules orients
themselves towards the negative plate (Remember, opposite
charges attract!). Non-polar molecules have no dipole
moments.
Remember to distinguish between polar bonds versus
polar molecules. We are talking about polar molecules here.
Some molecules have polar bonds but are non-polar. The
molecular geometry determines whether the molecule is polar
or not.
How to determine the polarity of the molecule using its Lewis
structure and molecular geometry?
Generally, a molecule is polar if:
a. The central atom has lone pair/s.
An example is a water:
b. The Lewis structure is asymmetric, or the atoms attached to
the central atom are different.
Example:

1. For 2 electron pairs in an atom to be as far apart as

possible, they should be at 180° angle from each
other. This makes the atoms assume A molecule is non-polar if:
a linear arrangement. a. all the atoms attached to the central atom are the same.
Example:

2. Three electron pairs in an atom are widely separated

b. the structure is symmetric, and the central atom has no lone
at 120° angle to one another, forming an equilateral
pairs
triangle. This arrangement is described as trigonal
planar.

Molecular General Example Polarity

Geometry Structure Molecule and
Lewis
Structure
3. A tetrahedral arrangement is a four-sided polygon, Linear BeCl2 Non-
with all four sides as identical equilateral triangles. The polar
angle between any two pairs is 109.5°
Bent H2O Polar

Trigonal BH3 Non-

Planar polar

Trigonal NH3 Polar

Did you know… Pyramidal
The two commonly known forms of carbon are graphite and diamond.
Graphite is thin and flaky, while diamond is hard and crystalline.
On November 30, 2015, the third form of carbon called Q- T-Shaped IF3 Polar
carbon was discovered by a group of scientists from North Carolina
State University. This carbon form has distinct properties from graphite
and diamond. It is harder than diamond and can be magnetized. It also
glows when exposed to even low levels of energy.
The researchers were able to produce Q-carbon films of 20 to 500 nm
Tetrahedral SiF4 Non-
thickness at room temperature and ambient atmosphere. They believe
that the material is very promising in the development of new electronic polar
displays and other technological innovations.

POLARITY OF MOLECULES Seesaw SF4 Polar

Polar molecules exhibit dipole moments. By definition,
the dipole moment, µ is the product of the charges, Q, and the
distance between the charges, r. To maintain neutrality, the
charges on the ends of the molecule must be equal in
Maxene Claire M. Soriano
12 – Saint Juliana of Nicomedia
 Square XeF4 Non-
Planar polar
[exception]

Trigonal PCl5 Non-

Bipyramidal polar

Square IF5 Polar

Pyramidal

Octahedral SF6 Non-

polar

GENERALIZATION
Molecular geometry pertains to the three-dimensional
arrangement of atoms in a molecule. Geometry affects the
physical and chemical properties of molecules and their
reactivity towards other molecules.
Polar molecules exhibit dipole moments. Nonpolar
molecules have no dipole moments. A dipole has both a
positive and a negative end. A molecule is polar if: 1) The
central atom has lone pair/s, 2) the Lewis structure
is asymmetric, or the atoms attached to the central atom are
different. A molecule is nonpolar if: 1) all the atoms attached to
the central atom are the same, 2) the structure is symmetric and
the central atom has no lone pairs.

Maxene Claire M. Soriano

12 – Saint Juliana of Nicomedia