1 | Geometry of Simple Compounds
Republic of the Philippines
SENIOR HIGH
Department of Education
REGION V
Schools Division of Sorsogon
1
1
Bulan National High School
GENERAL CHEMISTRY 1
QUARTER 2 - LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET #5
The previous lesson helped us understand the compositions of molecules and their bonds
through the Lewis structure theory. However, Lewis structures do not demonstrate one of the most
important features of molecules—their overall shapes. The size and shapes of molecules are
defined by the distances and angles between the nuclei of the atoms involved. In this lesson, we
learn how to portrait a molecule by writing a two-dimensional structure for it and translating it to a
three-dimensional shape, and we examine the effects of molecular shape on molecular polarity
Most essential learning competency:
Describe the geometry of simple compounds (STEM_GC11CBIId-g-81)
Determine the polarity of simple molecules (STEM_GC11CBIId-g-82)
I. ELICIT/ENGAGE
Activity 1: Review on Geometry
Directions: Draw a two-dimensional or three-dimensional illustration of the following geometries:
Example: Square Pyramidal -
1. Trigonal planar (2D)
2. Square Planar (3D)
3. Octahedral (3D)
4. Trigonal bipyramidal (3D)
5. Seesaw (3D)
II. EXPLORE
Directions: Write T if the statement is true. If the statement is false, underline the word which
makes it wrong and write the correct word on the space provided.
__________1. H2 is a polar molecule.
__________2. Water has a trigonal planar molecular geometry.
__________3. Asymmetric covalent compounds are usually nonpolar.
__________4. A molecule in which its central atom has 2 lone pairs and 3 bonding pairs of electrons
has a T-shape molecular geometry.
__________5. The central atom in the compound SF6 should be fluorine.
2 | Geometry of Simple Compounds
III. EXPLAIN
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. The angles and distances between
each atom, bonding pair, and lone pair of electrons are determined by the attractive and repulsive
forces governing all matter.
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. 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. The key ideas of the VSEPR theory are:
1. Electron pair stay as far apart from each other as possible to minimize repulsions.
2. Molecular shape is determined by the number of bond pairs and lone pairs around the
central atom.
3. Treat multiple bonds as if they were single bonds ( in making the predictions).
4. Lone pairs occupy more volume than bond pairs. Lone pair- one pair repulsions are
greater than lone pair-bond pair repulsions which in turns are greater than bond pair-bond
pair repulsions
VSEPR focuses not only on electron pairs, but it also focusses on electron groups. An
electron group can be an electron pair, a lone pair, a single unpaired electron, a double bond or a
triple bond on the central atom. The actual determinants of molecular shape are classified into two
groups: the electron-group and the molecular geometry. Electron-group geometry is determined
by the number of electron groups or the number of atoms bonded to the central atom. Molecular
geometry, on the other hand, depends on not only on the number of electron groups or the
number of atoms bonded to the central atom, but also on the number of lone pairs or unbonded
pair of electrons on the central atom. When the electron groups are all bond pairs, they are termed
just like the electron-group geometry.
For this lesson, we will adopt the following notation: A denotes to the central atom and X
refers to another atom bonded to it. If there are lone pairs or unbonded pair of electrons attached
to the central atom, this is indicated by the letter E. Hence, AX3E2 means that A has three atoms of
X bonded to it and A also has two lone pairs of electrons. To picture the three-dimensional shape of
a molecule, black wedges are used to represent chemical bonds coming toward you, while dashed
lines are for bonds that extend back behind the surface. Solid lines or “sticks” are used for the
backbone of the chemical structure and for chemical bonds on the same plane.
Table 1. Summary of molecular geometry
3 | Geometry of Simple Compounds
Tetrahedral Bent
Trigonal
Pyramidal
T-shape Linear
Trigonal
bipyramidal
Square Pyramid Square Planar
Octahedral
Figure 1. Ball-and-Stick representation of electron-group geometry
Predicting Molecular Geometry
1.
4 | Geometry of Simple Compounds
2.
3.
Molecular Polarity
5 | Geometry of Simple Compounds
Polarity is a physical property of compounds which relates other physical properties such as
solubility, boiling and melting points and intermolecular interactions between molecules. It is a
measure of how equally the electrons in a bond are distributed between the two atoms involved in
a covalent bond. Bond polarity increases with the increasing electronegativity difference between
the atoms in a molecule since there is a shift in electron density towards the more electronegative
atom. In a few cases, a symmetrical arrangement gives rise to a non-polar molecule even though a
molecule may have polar bonds.
The shift in electron density is symbolized by a crossed arrow ( ) with the arrow
pointing toward the direction of the shift. For instance, the shift in electron density points toward
fluorine in the polar HF molecule since it is more electronegative than hydrogen.
Polar molecules exhibit dipole moments while nonpolar molecules do not. In the presence of
an electric field, the positive end of the molecules positions itself towards the negative plate. The
molecular geometry determines whether the molecule is polar or not. Molecules whose atoms have
equal or nearly equal electronegativities are nonpolar. A molecule with polar bonds, but the
molecular geometry is symmetrical allowing the bond dipoles to cancel each other out like in the
molecule C02 is also nonpolar.
Figure 2. Some common polar compounds
Figure 3. Some common nonpolar compounds
IV. EVALUATE
Directions: Complete the table below with correct answers. The first one is done for you
Covalent Compound Lewis Structure with Geometry Name Polar or Nonpolar?
correct geometry
Linear Nonpolar
CO2
CH4
NH3
SF4
XeOF4
SF6
6 | Geometry of Simple Compounds
Reflections
What is the most important thing you learned in this module?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________.
How will you incorporate the lesson you learned from this module in your daily life?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
7 | Geometry of Simple Compounds
ANSWER KEY
Elicit/Engage
Explore
Evaluate
Reference
8 | Geometry of Simple Compounds
Tapayan, April Sweet L.; “Geometry of Simpe Compounds”, General Chemistry 1 ,Quarter 2,
Module 3; DepEd - CDO, 2021
Prepared by:
ERMIE G. GUAN
Teacher III
Reviewed by:
MARIA CHARLENE D. DIPAD
SGH – Science and Maritime Group
Recommending Approval:
MARIVIC A. ANONUEVO Approved:
ASP II – SHS Academics
SALVE E. FERRERAS
Principal III
Noted by:
LEONISA M. ENOLVA
Principal I, OIC-PSDS Bulan II District
