Molecular Geometry PhET Simulation

Directions:​ use the online PhET simulation to explore how atoms vs lone pairs of electrons affect the shape of molecules.
Click here for the link to the PhET/ Online simulation.

Part 1: Warming up and Understanding Molecular Shapes

 Molecule 1 Screenshot of Model
Attach to the central atom:
● 2 single bonds

AXE notation AX2

Molecular Geometry Linear
Electron Geometry Linear
Bond Angle 180 degrees

Molecule 2 Screenshot of Model

Attach to the central atom:
1. 3 single bonds

AXE notation AX3

Molecular Geometry Trigonal planar
Electron Geometry Trigonal planar
Bond Angle 120 degrees

Molecule 3 Screenshot of Model

Attach to the central atom:
● 4 single bonds

AXE notation AX4

Molecular Geometry Bent
Electron Geometry Bent
Bond Angle 109.5 degrees

Molecule 4 Screenshot of Model

Attach to the central atom:
● 3 single bonds
● 1 lone pair of electrons

AXE notation AX3E

Molecular Geometry Trigonal pyramidal
Electron Geometry Tetrahedral
Bond Angle 109.5 degrees

Molecule 5 Screenshot of Model

Attach to the central atom:
● 2 single bonds
● 2 lone pairs of electrons

AXE notation AX2E2

Molecular Geometry Bent
Electron Geometry Tetrahedral
Bond Angle 109.5 degrees

Molecule 6 Screenshot of Model

Attach to the central atom:
● 2 single bonds
● 1 double bond

AXE notation AX3

Molecular Geometry Trigonal planar
Electron Geometry Trigonal planar
Bond Angle 120 degrees

Molecule 7 Screenshot of Model

Attach to the central atom:
● 1 single bonds
● 1 triple bond

AXE notation AX2

Molecular Geometry Linear
Electron Geometry Linear
Bond Angle 180 degrees
 Molecule 8 Screenshot of Model
Attach to the central atom:
● 2 double bonds

AXE notation AX2

Molecular Geometry Linear
Electron Geometry Linear
Bond Angle 180 degrees

Part 2: Applying this Simulation to Real Molecules

 Water, H​2​O Screenshot of Model

AXE notation AX2E2

Molecular Geometry Bent
Electron Geometry Tetrahedral
Bond Angle 104.5 degrees

Carbon Dioxide, CO​2 Screenshot of Model

AXE notation AX2

Molecular Geometry Linear
Electron Geometry Linear
Bond Angle 180 degrees

Boron Trifluoride, BF​3 Screenshot of Model

AXE notation AX3

Molecular Geometry Trigonal planar
Electron Geometry Trigonal planar
Bond Angle 120 degrees
 Ammonia, NH​3 Screenshot of Model

AXE notation AX3E

Molecular Geometry Trigonal pyramidal
Electron Geometry Tetrahedral
Bond Angle 107.8 degrees

Methane, CH​4 Screenshot of Model

AXE notation AX4

Molecular Geometry tetrahedral
Electron Geometry tetrahedral
Bond Angle 109.5 degrees