Molecular Polarity and Geometry Lesson

Molecular Geometry and Polarity

By Gail Centeno

The three dimensional space around a central atom based upon the number of areas of electron density.

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Electronic Geometry

​Areas of Electron Density	​Electronic Geometry
​2	Linear​
​3	Trigonal Planar​
​4	Tetrahedral​
​5	Trigonal Bipyramidal​
​6	Octahedral​

Multiple Choice

What is the electronic geometry of CO₂?

• Linear

• Trigonal Planar

• Tetrahedral

• Bent

Multiple Choice

What is the electronic geometry of PF₃?

• Trigonal Planar

• Tetrahedral

• Trigonal Pyramidal

• Trigonal Bipyramidal

Multiple Choice

What is the electronic geometry of NO₂?

• Linear

• Tetrahedral

• Trigonal Planar

• Bent

Draw

Draw the 3D electronic geometry for PF₃Br₂

Fill in the Blank

What is/are the bond angle(s) for this molecule?

Fill in the Blank

What are the bond angles for this molecule?

Open Ended

What are the names of the positions for trigonal bipyramidal electronic geometry?

Draw

Circle the fluorine atoms in the equatorial position.

Fill in the Blank

SCl₆ has ___________ electronic geometry.

The three dimensional shape of a molecule based upon lone pair electrons and covalent bonds around a central atom.

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Molecular Geometry

Multiple Choice

What is the molecular geometry for SF4 ?

• Octahedral

• Trigonal Bipyramidal

• Seesaw

• T

Multiple Choice

What is the molecular geometry of SeF₂?

• Linear

• Tetrahedral

• Bent

• Trigonal Pyramidal

Multiple Choice

What is the molecular geometry?

• Octahedral

• Square Planar

• Square Pyramidal

• Seesaw

Multiple Choice

What is/are the bond angle(s) for this molecule?

• 120

• 180 and 90

• 90, 120, 180

• 180

Draw

Draw the 3D structure for XeF₂

Multiple Choice

What is the electronic and molecular geometry of XeF₂?

• Octahedral - Square Pyramidal

• Trigonal Bipyramidal - Linear

• Trigonal Bipyramidal - T-shaped

• Trigonal Bipyramidal - Seesaw

​Covalent Bonding

​Polar Covalent - difference in electronegativity between the two elements; unequal sharing of electrons between two elements

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Nonpolar Covalent - no difference in electronegativity between the two elements; equal sharing of electrons between two elements​

​Graphic Organizer - Polarity of Molecules

Fill in the Blank

The given molecule is _____ (polar/nonpolar).

Draw

Draw the polarity for each bond. Use arrows to indicate polarity.

Multiple Select

Identify all the polar molecules.

• H₂S

• O₃

• CF₄

• SF₆

Multiple Select

Identify all the polar covalent bonds.

• Na - Cl

• Mg - O

• O - Br

• N - H

• P - P

Multiple Choice

I = 2.5 F = 4.0 O = 3.5 N = 3.0 Cl = 3.0

Which bond is MOST polar?

• F - Cl

• N - Cl

• F - O

• O - I

Multiple Choice

F = 4.0 H = 2.1 Cl = 3.5 N = 3.0 O = 3.5

Which set show increasing polarity?

• N - O, Cl - N, Cl - O

• F - H, Cl - H, N - O

• N - O, N - Cl, Cl - F

• F - H, Cl - O, N - O

Draw

Draw the XeF₂Cl₂ molecule so it is nonpolar

Draw

Draw the XeF₂Cl₂ molecule so it is polar