Molecular Polarity and Geometry

Front

What is molecular polarity?

Back

Molecular polarity refers to the distribution of electrical charge over the atoms in a molecule, resulting in a molecule having a positive and a negative end.

Front

What determines the shape of a molecule?

Back

The shape of a molecule is determined by the arrangement of its atoms and the presence of lone pairs of electrons, which influence the geometry according to VSEPR theory.

Front

What is VSEPR theory?

Back

VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory is a model used to predict the geometry of individual molecules based on the repulsion between electron pairs in the valence shell of the central atom.

Front

Define a lone pair of electrons.

Back

A lone pair of electrons is a pair of valence electrons that are not shared with another atom and are located on the central atom of a molecule.

Front

What is the geometry of a molecule with four bonding pairs and no lone pairs?

Back

The geometry is tetrahedral.

Front

What is the geometry of a molecule with three bonding pairs and one lone pair?

Back

The geometry is trigonal pyramidal.

Front

What is the geometry of a molecule with two bonding pairs and two lone pairs?

Back

The geometry is bent.

Front

How can you determine if a molecule is polar or nonpolar?

Back

A molecule is polar if it has a net dipole moment due to an uneven distribution of charge; it is nonpolar if the charge distribution is even.

Front

What is the shape of a molecule with three bonding pairs and no lone pairs?

Back

The shape is trigonal planar.

Front

What is the significance of electronegativity in molecular polarity?

Back

Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom to attract electrons; differences in electronegativity between atoms in a molecule can lead to polar bonds.