Molecule Shapes (VSEPR) PhET

​Molecule Shapes Lab

​This is a "learning by doing" type activity. You will be assessed on a basic level of understanding at the end of class.

​Open the Molecule Shapes PhET Lab that is linked on Canvas. Explore the simulation and then use the simulation to answer the following questions.

Open Ended

How does adding an atom affect the position of existing atoms or lone pairs?

Open Ended

How does adding a lone pair affect the position of existing atoms and lone pairs?

Open Ended

We can think of a bond or a lone pair of electrons as a “domain” of electrons. Single bonds, double bonds, and triple bonds each count as one domain. How do the electrons in bonds (bonding domains) differ from lone pairs (non-bonding domains)?

Open Ended

What happens to the bond angle when you add or remove an electron domain?

Open Ended

Can you force the atoms into new configurations (permanently, not just for a moment) by pushing atoms around?  What does this suggest about the configuration of atoms in real molecules?

Open Ended

In your own words explain what the term Molecule Geometry might mean.

​Get a Handout

Go up to the front and get a handout from Ms. Keeler​ to use with the rest of the simulation.

Multiple Choice

Make a molecule with two bonding domains on the central atom and no lone pairs. Draw this molecule on your chart handed out in class and fill in the molecule geometry and bond angle. What is the molecule geometry?

• linear

• bent

• trigonal planar

• tetrahedral

Multiple Choice

Make a molecule with three bonding domains on the central atom and no lone pairs. Draw this molecule on your chart handed out in class and fill in the molecule geometry and bond angle. What is the molecule geometry?

• linear

• bent

• trigonal planar

• tetrahedral

Multiple Choice

Make a molecule with four bonding domains on the central atom and no lone pairs. Draw this molecule on your chart handed out in class and fill in the molecule geometry and bond angle. What is the molecule geometry?

• linear

• bent

• trigonal planar

• tetrahedral

Multiple Choice

Make a molecule with five bonding domains on the central atom and no lone pairs. Draw this molecule on your chart handed out in class and fill in the molecule geometry and bond angle. What is the molecule geometry?

• trigonal bipyramidal

• octahedral

• trigonal planar

• tetrahedral

Multiple Choice

Make a molecule with six bonding domains on the central atom and no lone pairs. Draw this molecule on your chart handed out in class and fill in the molecule geometry and bond angle. What is the molecule geometry?

• trigonal bipyramidal

• octahedral

• trigonal planar

• tetrahedral

Open Ended

In the Model screen, build a molecule with 5 atoms attached to the central atom. Look at the molecule geometry and electron geometry. Predict what will happen to the molecule geometry as you replace atoms with lone pairs.

Open Ended

Start removing bonded atoms and replacing them with lone pairs. Was your prediction correct?

Multiple Choice

Make a molecule with two bonded regions and one lone pair on the central atom. Draw this molecule in the second chart on your paper and write the name of the molecule geometry. What is the molecule geometry?

• linear

• bent

• trigonal planar

• tetrahedral

• trigonal pyramidal

Multiple Choice

Make a molecule with two bonded regions and two lone pairs on the central atom. Draw this molecule in the second chart on your paper and write the name of the molecule geometry. What is the molecule geometry?

• linear

• bent

• trigonal planar

• tetrahedral

• trigonal pyramidal

Multiple Choice

Make a molecule with two bonded regions and three lone pairs on the central atom. Draw this molecule in the second chart on your paper and write the name of the molecule geometry. What is the molecule geometry?

• linear

• bent

• trigonal planar

• tetrahedral

• trigonal pyramidal

Multiple Choice

Make a molecule with three bonded regions and one lone pairs on the central atom. Draw this molecule in the second chart on your paper and write the name of the molecule geometry. What is the molecule geometry?

• T-shaped

• Seesaw

• trigonal planar

• tetrahedral

• trigonal pyramidal

Multiple Choice

Make a molecule with three bonded regions and two lone pairs on the central atom. Draw this molecule in the second chart on your paper and write the name of the molecule geometry. What is the molecule geometry?

• T-shaped

• Seesaw

• trigonal planar

• tetrahedral

• trigonal pyramidal

Multiple Choice

Make a molecule with four bonded regions and one lone pair on the central atom. Draw this molecule in the second chart on your paper and write the name of the molecule geometry. What is the molecule geometry?

• T-shaped

• Seesaw

• trigonal planar

• tetrahedral

• trigonal pyramidal

​Complete part 3 on your handout using what you learned and then use the simulation to check your answers using the "Real Molecules" tab