SKU3073 Chemistry

Semester 1 2020/2021

EXPERIMENT 7

MOLECULAR GEOMETRY

7.1 OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this experiment, students should be able to:

1. learn to build 3-dimensional models of representative molecules

2. use the model to determine the molecular geometry of molecules

7.2 INTRODUCTION

Molecular geometry, also known as the molecular structure, is the three-dimensional structure
or arrangement of atoms in a molecule. It is determined by the central atom, surrounding atoms
and electron pairs. The shape of most molecules can be predicted using the Valence Shell
Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory. This theory is based on the idea that groups of electron
repels each other and will allocate themselves as far away from each other as possible within a
molecule. An electron domain is a region in space where electrons can be found. According to
VSEPR theory, the shape of molecule is determined by the tendency of electron domains to keep
as far away from each other as possible. To predict the shape of molecule or ion, we need to
know how many sets of electron pairs surround the central atom. The sets of electron pairs
include the amount of lone pair electron and the amount of bonding electron for central atom.
The sets of electron pairs will arranged themselves to minimize the repulsive forces within the
molecule. The actual geometry molecule is based on the position of terminal atom that binds to
central atom. The lone pair electron will only influence the bond angle. However, Lewis structures
show the two-dimensional distribution of atoms and electrons.

Apparatus

Molecular model kit

7.3 PROCEDURE

Part A Building a molecular geometry for HCl, I3 and CO2

1. Construct a model of HCl molecule by using ball with 1 stick.

2. Construct a model of CO2 molecule by using ball with 2 sticks as the terminal atom and
ball with 4 sticks as central atom.

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 SKU3073 Chemistry
Semester 1 2020/2021

3. Construct a model of I3 molecule model by using ball with 1 as terminal atom and ball
with 5 sticks as central atom.

4. Sketch, determine the geometry and bond angle for each molecule.

Part B Building a molecular geometry for CH4, NH3 and H2O

1. Construct models of CH4, NH3 and H2O using ball with one stick as the terminal atom and
ball with 4 sticks as central atom. To show the electron valence in molecule, leave one
or two stick at central atom without ball which one stick is correspond to a pair or electron
valence.

2. Sketch, determine the geometry and bond angle for each molecule.

3. Determine the real angle bonding for each molecule using VSEPR whether it less or
equal with the basic angle.

Part C Building a molecular geometry for BH3 and SO2

1. Construct a model of BH3 molecule by using ball with 1 stick as the end atom and ball
with 3 sticks as central atom.

2. By using the same ball, build SO2 molecule model and leave the stick without ball to show
the lone pair electron for central atom.

3. Sketch, determine the geometry and bond angle for each molecule.

Part D Building a molecular geometry for PF5, ICl3, SF4 and XeF2

1. Construct a model of PF5 molecule model using ball with 5 sticks as central atom and ball
with one stick as terminal atom.

2. By using the same ball, build ICl3, SF4 and XeF2 molecules model and leave the stick
without ball to show the lone pair electron for central atom. You might get the variety of
arrangement; identify the most stable geometry for each molecule.

3. Sketch, determine the geometry and bond angle for each molecule.

Part E Building a molecular geometry for SF6, XeF4 and BrF6

1. Construct models of the above molecules by using ball with 1 stick as terminal atom, and
ball with 6 stick as central atom.

2. Restructure the possible geometry for XeF4 and BrF6 molecules and determine the most
stable geometry for that molecule together with the angle.

3. Sketch, determine the geometry and bond angle for each molecule.

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 SKU3073 Chemistry
Semester 1 2020/2021

7.4 QUESTIONS

1. How do you draw molecular geometry?

2. What are the 5 basic molecular geometries (or shapes) where the central atom has no
lone pairs?

3. Why the molecular geometry for H2O is non-linear compared to CO2?

7.5 REFERENCES

1. Molecular Geometry. (2018). Retrieved from

https://chem.libretexts.org/Textbook_Maps/General_Chemistry/Book%3A_Chem1_(Lo
wer)/09._Chemical_Bonding_and_Molecular_Structure/9.05%3A_Molecular_Geometry

2. Silberberg, M. 2013. Principles of General Chemistry. 3rd Edition. McGrraw-Hill

Education. New York:USA

3. Chang, R. and Goldsby, K. A. 2013. Chemistry. 11th Edition. McGrraw-Hill Education.

New York:USA

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 SKU3073 Chemistry
Semester 1 2020/2021

7.6 WORKSHEET

Part A Building a molecular geometry for HCl, I3 and CO

Table 7.1: Molecular geometry for HCl, I3 and CO2

Molecules Molecular shape/geometry VSEPR

General formula Angle

HCl

I3

CO2

Part B Building a molecular geometry for CH4, NH3 and H2O

Table 7.2: Molecular geometry for CH4, NH3 and H2O

Molecules Molecular shape/geometry VSEPR

General formula Angle

CH4

NH3

H2O

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 SKU3073 Chemistry
Semester 1 2020/2021

Part C Building a molecular geometry for BH3 and SO2

Table 7.3: Molecular geometry for BH3 and SO2

Molecules Molecular shape/geometry VSEPR

General formula Angle

BH3

SO2

Part D Building a molecular geometry for PF5, ICl3, SF4 and XeF2

Table 7.4: Molecular geometry for PF5, ICl3, SF4 and XeF2

Molecules Molecular shape/geometry VSEPR

General formula Angle

PF5

ICl3

SF4

XeF2

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 SKU3073 Chemistry
Semester 1 2020/2021

Part E Building a molecular geometry for SF6, XeF4 and BrF6

Table 7.5: Molecular geometry for SF6, XeF4 and BrF6

Molecules Molecular shape/geometry VSEPR

General formula Angle

SF6

XeF4

BrF6

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DATE LECTURER’S SIGNATURE/STAMP