COES110A – CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS

LABORATORY EXPERIMENT # 4

Molecule Shapes (Basics) Remote Lab

(This lesson is designed for a student working remotely)

This lab uses the Molecule Shapes (Basics) simulation from PhET Interactive Simulations.
https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/molecule-shapes-basics/latest/molecule-shapes-basics_en.html

Learning Goals: Students will be able to

1. Identify substances to which “Molecular geometry” applies (ie not ionic or metallic substances or
elements, but covalently bonded molecules with one central atom )
2. Name molecule and electron geometries for basic molecules (basic means- maximum six electron groups
surrounding a central atom.)
3. Explain the model being used to predict molecule geometry (repulsions between electron pairs or nuclei
of bonded atoms –VSPER; electrons are not included in the molecular shape).
4. Predict common molecular geometry from the number of electron pairs and bonded atoms around a
central atom of basic compounds. (geometry includes bond angles, exclusion of lone pairs)

Background:
A major part of understanding the properties of matter is understanding more about their
structure. Bonds, the electrostatic forces between the electrons of atoms in a molecule or transferred
between atoms in an ionic substance, determine much about how a substance will “act”, what kinds of
reactions it will undergo, what kinds of solutions it will or won’t form, and the potential energy stored
within that substance. In general, the more bonds between atoms in a substance, the more energy the
substance will absorb or release in a reaction; we can also think about this being related to bond energy
and enthalpy. More energy will be required to transform large molecules to new substances (for example
fossil fuels). Related to this is a general understanding of properties like boiling point and volatility,
viscosity and vapor pressure. This has significance for understanding how substances are used. The key
to all of these understandings however remains a critical need to imagine a few basic ideas about its
structure. This is one reason why understanding models helps us to understand more sophisticated topics
later.

Description: This activity explores the use of models to understand bond angle relationships within the
“rules” of four bonding regions on a central atom. It also demonstrates the bonding patterns of real and
imagined molecules.

Warm up: describe your understanding of different types of bonds (ionic, covalent and metallic). Also
explain what is meant by the octet rule and how this rule relates to bonding patterns in elements.

ENGR. NORMAN R. ANDRES 1

Instructions: Log onto the simulation using the link above to access the digital models. Start with
activities for REAL MOLECULES.
1. What chemical compound is shown as the model on the opening page?
a. Name the substance
- BeCl2
b. Describe the type of bonds shown to the central (middle) atom
- The type of bond that is shown to the central atom is a covalent bond
c. Think about your understanding of geometry. How many degrees (0 - 180) separate
the two chlorine atoms shown?

d. What “shape” would you say this molecule makes?

2. For each of the REAL MOLECULES shown in the simulation, complete the following chart. If a
name is given, match it to the chemical formula provided.

Molecule Name of the Bond angle Molecule geometry

(molecular formula) compound
BeCl2
Boron trifluoride
Methane
PCl5
SF6 Sulfur hexafluoride

3. Based on the REAL MOLECULES activity, identify at least one exception to the octet rule.

4. Look up or draw a Lewis structure for each of the molecules below the space provided. What do
you think is the relationship between bonding, bond angle and molecular geometry (the shape of
a molecule)?

ENGR. NORMAN R. ANDRES 2

LEWI’S STRUCTURE

ENGR. NORMAN R. ANDRES 3

 Shift focus to MODEL activities.

1. Build a model of carbon dioxide. What is the bond angle and molecular geometry?

2. Build a model of methane. What is the bond angle and molecular geometry?

3. Rotate the molecule on the screen by clicking on and dragging one of the spheres. What do you
think the shaded region around the central atom represents? How does this shaded region
change as you move the model?

4. Change one of the single bonds in methane to a double bond. How does the bond angle and
geometry change? How is changing a bond on the central atom different from adding a bond to
the central atom for the molecule? Explain by describing shifts in bond angle and/or shape.

5. Change two or more of the single bonds in methane to double or triple bonds. How does the
bond angle and geometry change? Do you think these molecules exist in real life? Why or
why not?

6. Manipulate the models to try to create each of the models shown in the table below. Once you
build each model, identify the bond angles and molecular geometry. Label each image with those
details in the space provided beneath the model.

ENGR. NORMAN R. ANDRES 4

ENGR. NORMAN R. ANDRES 5
Click on the Model box as shown above. When the screenshot below opens, follow the instructions
below.

1. Click the “Remove All” button.

2. Check the Show Bond Angles Option
3. Check the Name Molecular Geometry

Now if you click the single bond (top entity in the Bonding box (upper right corner), you can build the
geometries in the table below around the central purple atom. WATCH carefully as you do this and
you will see repulsion in action!!! If you click and hold in the space away from the boxes, you can
rotate the molecule to examine the bond angles and general shape.

ENGR. NORMAN R. ANDRES 6

Number of electron Sketch the What is the angle Are all the angles the
pairs around central arrangement of the between the electron same? If not, point
atom atoms pairs? out the differences.

2 pairs

Name of molecular
geometry:

3 pairs

Name of molecular
geometry:

4 pairs

Name of molecular
geometry:

5 pairs

Name of molecular
geometry:

6 pairs

Name of molecular
geometry:

ENGR. NORMAN R. ANDRES 7

 ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS:

ELECTRON DOMAINS

1. Explore the Model screen of the simulation again. As you explore, answer the following
questions.

a. How does adding an atom affect the position of existing atoms or lone pairs?

b. How does adding a lone pair affect the position of existing atoms and lone pairs?

2. Is the effect of adding bonded atoms and lone pairs to the central atom similar? Explain
why this could be the case.

3. How do the electrons in bonds (bonding domains) differ from lone pairs (non-bonding
domains)?

4. What happens to the bond angle when you add or remove an electron domain?

5. Can you force the atoms into new configurations by pushing atoms around? What does
this suggest about the configuration of atoms in real molecules?

6. What is the difference between Electron Geometry and Molecule Geometry?

7. In one or two grammatically correct sentences, write a definition for the term Molecule
Geometry.

ENGR. NORMAN R. ANDRES 8