Molecular Geometry by Amaize

What is molecular geometry?

            Molecular geometry is the three dimensional arrangement of the atoms that make up a molecule. This three dimensional model determines important properties of molecules like polarity and reactivity. Molecular geometry can be found through intense processes with x-rays, or we can determine a close idea as to what the molecular geometry is without such extreme measures.

First, we must start by drawing out the lewis structure of our molecule. For example we will have BeH2. 

In this example we see that there are two bonding pairs and zero nonbonding pairs. It is easy to determine that the molecular shape is linear because there are only two electron domains.

The next part of molecular geometry is determining the angle of the bonds. VSEPR is the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory. The electrons around the central atom will repel away from each other as far as possible. This repulsion determines what angle the different repulsions take.

Question: How can you use Molecular Geometry to further your knowledge of molecules?

3 random facts:

1.      The outermost electrons are called valence electrons which form bonds to other valence electrons.

2.      The most common shapes are linear, bent, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, trigonal bipyramidal and octahedral.

3.      Molecules can form up to three bonds which are called triple bonds.