Covalent Molecules
Elizabeth Phillips
3/20/11
Purpose: To build three-dimensional models of simple covalent molecules. Predict their
shapes and polarities from knowledge of bonds and molecule polarity rules.
Procedure: Use a molecular model building kit, look over the color code identifying the
different kinds of atoms, and create three-dimensional models of the given molecules.
Then state: the Lewis structure, whether the bonds are polar or non-polar covalent bonds,
the shape of the molecule, and whether the molecule in polar or non-polar.
1. Discussion of Theory: In this lab, we used the 3-D molecules to show the shapes
of the molecule. We drew the Lewis Structures which are diagrams that show the
bonding between atoms of a molecule, and the lone pairs of electrons that may
exist in the molecule. Molecules of covalent substances can be arranged to form a
polar (Polar molecules have an uneven charge distribution over their surface as
the bonding electron pair sit closer to one atom than the other) or non-polar
(Nonpolar molecules have an even charge distribution) molecule. Depending on
the shape, we can determine the polarities of the molecules. If bonds are nonpolar,
the molecule is nonpolar. If bonds are polar, molecules can still be nonpolar if the
charge distribution throughout the molecule is symmetrical. We also had to
determine whether the molecules were polar or nonpolar covalent bonds. If the
difference in electronegativites (a chemical property that describes the ability of
an atom attract electrons towards itself) is less than 0.5, the bond is called a non-
polar covalent bond. If the difference in electronegativites is between 0.5 and 1.9,
a polar covalent bond exists. If the difference in electronegativities is greater than
2.0, an ionic bond (a chemical bond in which one atom loses an electron to form a
positive ion and the other atom gains an electron to form a negative ion) results.
Nonpolar covalent bonding occurs when there is equal sharing (between the two
atoms) of the electrons in the bond. Polar covalent bonding occurs when there is
unequal sharing (between the two atoms) of the electrons in the bond.
Conclusion: In essence, we were able to put together the molecules using the colored
atoms and determine the Lewis structure, whether the bonds are polar or non-polar
covalent bonds, the shape of the molecule, and whether the molecule in polar or non-
polar.
Sources: wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
http://www.chemteam.info/Bonding/Electroneg-Bond-Polarity.html
http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistrystudentfaqs/f/bondtypes.htm
Questions:
2. Water and carbon dioxide have different shapes. Water is bent and carbon dioxide
is linear. A bent shape is polar because it is asymmetrical but a linear shape is
non-polar because it is symmetrical.
3. If the difference in electronegativites is less than 0.5, the bond is called a non-
polar covalent bond. If the difference in electronegativites is between 0.5 and 1.9,
a polar covalent bond exists. If the difference in electronegativities is greater than
2.0, an ionic bond results.
4. The elements on the top, right of the periodic table have the highest
electronegativity and the least number of energy levels and they need the fewest
number of electrons to gain to be stable.
5. A covalent bond is formed when two atoms share a pair of electrons. An ionic
bond is formed when one atom loses an electron to form a positive ion and the
other atom gains an electron to form a negative ion.
Formula Lewis Structure Polar or Shape of Polar or
Nonpolar Molecule Nonpolar
Covalent Bonds Molecule
H2 NP Linear NP
Cl2 NP Linear NP
O2 NP Linear NP
N2 NP Linear NP
HCl P Linear P
HBr P Linear P
H2O P Bent P
H2S NP Bent P
HCN NP/P Linear P
CO2 P Linear NP
NH3 P Trigonal P
Pyramidal
CH4 NP Tetrahedral NP
CCl4 NP Tetrahedral NP
CH3Br P/NP Tetrahedral P
