Molecular

Geometry
and Polarity
 Molecular geometry
● relates to the three-dimensional arrangement
of atoms in a molecule.
● The size and shape of a molecule of a
substance, together with the strength and
polarity of its bonds, affect the physical
and chemical properties of molecules and
play an important role in their interactions
especially in the life-sustaining processes in
cells.
 Valence-Shell Electron-Pair
Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory

The approach in predicting molecular geometry is called the

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory (VSEPR).
This prediction is anchored from the assumption that all electron
pairs in the valence shell around a central atom repel one another.
 Valence-Shell Electron-Pair
Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory
These valence shell electron pairs are the ones involved in bonding and they
want to stay apart from each other as possible. They want to be in the
most stable orientation and the one with the lowest energy, thus,
they assume a geometry or orientation that will minimize the
repulsions.
 Central Atom

Atom Atom
 Central Atom

Atom Atom
We don’t consider bond type when finding molecular
geometry.

Central Atom

Atom Atom
Lone Pair
- refers to a pair of
valence electrons
that are not shared
with another atom in
a covalent bond and
is sometimes called
an unshared pair or
non-bonding pair.