Section: GE-1B

Name: SALVA, Prince Earl M.

Date: 20/10/2021

Activity # 3
MOLECULAR STRUCTURES AND SHAPES

INTRODUCTION

The shapes exhibited by molecules are often very difficult for beginning students to visualize, especially since most
students’ training in geometry is limited to plane geometry. To understand the geometric shapes exhibited by molecules,
a course in solid geometry, which covers the shapes of three-dimensional figures, would be more appropriate. In this
experiment however, you will first make a first encounter with some unfamiliar geometrical arrangements. This should
help you to have an appreciation for the complexity and importance of molecular geometry.
The basic derivation and explanation of molecular shapes arises in the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory,
which is usually known by its abbreviation, VSEPR. This theory considers the environment of the central molecule and
imagines first how the valence electron pairs of that central atom must be arranged in three-dimensional space around
the central atom to minimize repulsion among the electron pairs. The general principle is: For a given number of pairs
of electrons, the pairs will be oriented in three-dimensional space to be as far away from each other as possible. For
example, if a central atom were to have only 2 pairs of valence electrons around it, the electron pairs would be arranged
to be 180o from each other. The VSEPR theory then also considers which pairs of electron pairs around the central atom
are bonding pairs (with atoms attached) and which are nonbonding pairs (lone pairs). The overall geometric shape of
the molecule as a whole is determined by how many pairs are on the central atom and by how many of those pairs are
used for bonding to other atoms.
It is sometimes difficult for students to distinguish between the orientation if the electron pairs of the central atom of
a molecule and the overall geometric shape of that molecule. A simple example which clearly makes this distinction
concerns the case in which the central atom of the molecule has four valence electron pairs. Consider the Lewis
structures of the following four molecules: hydrogen chloride (HCl), water (H2O), ammonia (NH3), and methane (CH4).
.. H
H : Cl : H:O:H H:N:H H:C:H
.. H H

The central atom in each of these molecules is surrounded by four pairs of valence electrons. According to the
VSEPR theory, these four pairs of electrons will be oriented in three-dimensional space to be as far away from each other
as possible. The four pairs of electrons point to the corners of the geometric figure known as the tetrahedron. The four
pairs of electrons are said to be “tetrahedrally oriented” and are separated by angles of approximately 109.5o. However,
the molecules are not tetrahedral in overall shape, since not all of the valence electron pairs in the molecules are bonding
electron pairs. The position of the bonding pairs (and hence the overall shape of the molecule) is determined by the
total number of valence electron pairs on the central atom, but the nonbonding electron pairs are not included in the
description of the molecules’ overall shape. For example, the HCl molecule above could hardly be said to be “tetrahedral”
in shape, since there are only 2 atoms in the molecule. HCl is linear even though the valence electron pairs of the
chlorine atom are tetrahedrally oriented. Similarly, the water molecule cannot be “tetrahedral”. Water is said to be V-
shaped (bent, nonlinear), which is a result of the tetrahedral orientation of the valence electron pairs of oxygen.
Ammonia’s overall shape is said to be that of a trigonal (triangular) pyramind. Of the four molecules used as examples,
only methane (CH4) has both tetrahedrally oriented valence pairs and an overall geometric shape that can be described
as tetrahedral.
During this experiment, your instructor will construct a demonstration model of each of the molecular structures to
be studied. At your desk, you will construct a smaller model of the structure, measure the bond angles in the structure,
sketch the structure on paper, and suggest a real molecule that would be likely to have that structure.

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Table 3. Molecular structures
No. of # of Type
Valence pairs bonding Formula
on central Arrangement of valence pairs pairs on Molecular shape
atom central
atom
(a) 2 Linear 2 linear AB2
(b) 3 trigonal planar 2 bent -
(c) 3 trigonal planar 3 Trigonal planar AB3
(d) 4 tetrahedral 2 Bent AB2
(e) 4 tetrahedral 3 Trigonal pyramid AB3
(f) 4 Tetrahedral 4 Tetrahedral AB4
(g) 5 Trigonal bipyramid 2 Linear AB2
(h) 5 Trigonal bipyramid 3 T-shape AB3
(i) 5 Trigonal bipyramid 4 See-Saw AB4
(j) 5 Trigonal bipyramid 5 Trigonal pyramid AB5
(k) 6 Octahedral 3 T-shape
(l) 6 Octahedral 4 Square planar AB4
(m) 6 Octahedral 5 Square pyramid AB5
(n) 6 Octahedral 6 Octahedral AB6

Note: A “_” in the “Type formula” column indicates that no simple molecules with this structure are known (or likely to
be discussed in an introductory general chemistry).

I. OBJECTIVES

1. To sketch the different structure of molecular models.

2. To suggest a real molecule that would likely have the said structure

II. MATERIALS

Paper, pencil, protractor

III. PROCEDURE

1. Sketch a representation of the models and indicate the measured bond angles. Your sketches do not have to be
fine artwork, but the overall shape of the molecule, as well as the position of all electron pairs on the central atom (both
bonding and nonbonding), must be clear.

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 2. Create models of Tetrahedral and Trigonal pyramid molecular structures, using any type of materials. Be sure to
have the correct angle for each sample. Take a picture of yourself while doing the model, and each individual finished
product.

IV. DATA AND RESULTS

A. Sketch (showing bond angles-specify the degree angle) a – n in the table

Sketch Lewis dot formula

a.

b.

c.

3
d.

e.

f.

4
g.

h.

5
i.

j.

6
k.

l.

7
m.

n.

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B. Sample of Molecular Model (picture):
Tetrahedral Trigonal pyramid

V. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
In each compound or atom, they have their own distinct shape or structure. I realize that, it tells or serves as
blueprint in order for people to identify them. Also, it really helps us to mimic or create new structure to fight like, virus
which we are facing right now.

VII. CONCLUSIONS
To summarize, VSEPR theory explains how every valence electron of central atom must be paired and placed
in three-dimensional space, surrounding the central atom.

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Post laboratory Questions

1. The models you have built and sketched do not take into account the fact that bonding and nonbonding pairs
of electrons do not repel each other to exactly the same extent: Repulsion by nonbonding pairs is stronger
than by bonding pairs. How will this affect the true geometric shape of the molecules you have drawn? How
will the bond angles you have measured be changed by this effect?

• When a bond forms, the molecules' true geometric shape is altered by repulsion, which causes them to
shift as far away from each other as possible. This causes the molecule to change and change, resulting
in a unique geometrical design. The bond angle is influenced by the presence of a loan pair. Multiple
bonds were more effective than single ones at repelling each other. Lone pairs decrease the bonding angle
between electrons in a bonding pair, resulting in a highly charged particle that strongly attracts electrons.

2. Complete the table below.

Species Type of Molecular Geometry

N2 Linear

BeF2 Linear

CO2 Linear

BF3 Trigonal Planar

SnCl2 Trigonal Planar / Bent

SO2 Trigonal Planar / Bent

CH4 Tetrahedral

NH3 Trigonal pyramidal

H2O Bent

PCl5 Trigonal bypyramidal

ClF4+ Square planar

Icl3 Trigonal pyramidal

XeF2 Linear

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PCl6- Octahedral

IF5 Square pyramidal

XeF4 Square planar

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