Molecular Geometry Flashcards
determine molecular geometry: basic steps
determine the steric number
determine the geometry based on the number of bonds and lone pairs
steric number
the number of “electron dense areas” around a central atom
lone pairs or bonds (whether single, double, or triple)
molecular geometry: steric # 2, no lone pairs
linear
180° bond angle
molecular geometry: steric # 3, no lone pairs
trigonal planar
120° bond angle
molecular geometry: steric # 3, 1 lone pair
bent
<180° bond angle
molecular geometry: steric # 4, no lone pairs
tetrahedral
109.5° bond angle
molecular geometry: steric # 4, 1 lone pair
trigonal pyramidal
109.5° bond angle
molecular geometry: steric # 4, 2 lone pairs
bent
<109.5° bond angle
ideal bond angle: linear electron pair geometry
180 degrees
ideal bond angle: trigonal planar electron pair geometry
120 degrees
ideal bond angle: trigonal planar electron pair geometry
120 degrees
ideal bond angle: tetrahedral electron pair geometry
109.5 degrees