MOLECULAR

GEOMETRY
AND
POLARITY OF
MOLECULES
General Chemistry 1
OBJECTIVES
Content Standards
The learners demonstrate understanding of ionic bond formation in terms
of atomic properties, covalent bond formation in terms of atomic
properties, and the properties of molecular covalent compounds in
relation to their structure.
Performance Standards
The learners should be able to predict the molecular geometry of
compounds and understand the polarity of different compounds.

MELCs
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:
• Describe the geometry of simple compounds (STEM_GC11CBIId-g-81)
• Determine the polarity of simple molecules (STEM_GC11CBIId-g-82)
 PART 1
MOLECULAR
GEOMETRY
Molecular Geometry pertains to
the three-dimensional arrangement
of atoms in a molecule. Geometry
affects the physical and chemical
properties of molecules and their
reactivity towards other molecules.
We can determine the molecular
geometry of a molecule by
experimentation, such as x-ray
diffraction. However, we can predict
it even without experimentation, but
the results may not be as accurate
as experiment.
The prediction rests on the assumption
that all electron pairs in the valence shell
around a central atom repel one another.
They assume a geometry or orientation
that will minimize the repulsions. This
approach in predicting molecular
geometry is called the Valence Shell
Electron Pair Repulsion Theory (VSEPR).
Key Ideas for Valence Shell Electron
Pair Repulsion Theory (VSEPR)

1. Electron pairs stay as far apart from

each other as possible to minimize
repulsions.
2. Molecular shape is determined by the
number of bond pairs and lone pairs
around the central atom.
 Key Ideas for Valence Shell Electron
Pair Repulsion Theory (VSEPR)

3. In making the prediction, treat

multiple bonds as if they were single
bonds.
4. Lone pairs occupy more volume than
bond pairs.
lone pair-lone pair repulsions > lone pair-bond
pair repulsions > bond pair-bond pair repulsions
What's the molecular geometry of CO₂?

Orientation of the electron pairs: Linear

Molecular geometry: Linear
Bond angle: 180ᵒ
What's the molecular geometry of BCl₃?

Orientation of the
electron pairs:
trigonal planar
Molecular geometry:
trigonal planar
Bond angle: 120ᵒ
What's the molecular geometry of O₃?

Orientation of the electron pairs:

trigonal planar
Molecular geometry: bent/angular
Bond angle: slightly less than 120ᵒ
What's the molecular geometry of CH₄?

Orientation of the
electron pairs:
tetrahedral
Molecular geometry:
tetrahedral
Bond angle: 109.5ᵒ
What's the molecular geometry of NH₃?
Orientation of the
electron pairs:
tetrahedral
Molecular geometry:
pyramid
Bond angle: slightly
less than 109.5ᵒ
What's the molecular geometry of H₂O?
Orientation of the
electron pairs:
tetrahedral
Molecular geometry:
bent
Bond angle:
less than 120ᵒ
What's the molecular geometry of PCl₅?
Orientation of the
electron pairs:
trigonal bipyramidal
Molecular geometry:
trigonal bipyramidal
Bond angle:
90ᵒ and 120ᵒ
What's the molecular geometry of SF₆?

Orientation of the
electron pairs:
octahedral
Molecular geometry:
octahedral
Bond angle:
90ᵒ and 180ᵒ
 Orientation of
No. of Electron Pairs Molecular Geometry
Electron Pairs

2 (AB₂) Linear Linear

Trigonal Trigonal
3 (AB₃)
Planar Planar

2 + 1 lone Trigonal Bent /

pair (AB₂E) Planar Angular
 Orientation of
No. of Electron Pairs Molecular Geometry
Electron Pairs

4 (AB₄) Tetrahedral Tetrahedral

3 + 1 lone pair Trigonal

Tetrahedral
(AB₃E) Pyramidal

2 + 2 lone pair Bent /

Tetrahedral
(AB₂E₂) Angular
 Orientation of
No. of Electron Pairs Molecular Geometry
Electron Pairs

Trigonal Trigonal
5 (AB₅)
Bipyramidal Bipyramidal

4 + 1 lone pair Trigonal

Seesaw
(AB₄E) Bipyramidal

3 + 2 lone pair Trigonal

T-Shaped
(AB₃E₂) Bipyramidal

2 + 3 lone pair Trigonal

Linear
(AB₂E₃) Bipyramidal
 Orientation of
No. of Electron Pairs Molecular Geometry
Electron Pairs

6 (AB₆) Octahedral Octahedral

5 + 1 lone pair Square

Octahedral
(AB₅E) Pyramidal

4 + 2 lone pair
Octahedral Square Planar
(AB₄E₂)
 PART 2
POLARITY OF
MOLECULES
 Polarity is the
distribution of
electrical charge due
to difference in the
electronegativity of
atoms involve in the
bond formation.
Electronegativity increases from bottom to top
and from left to right of the periodic table.
 Polarity of Molecules

• Nonpolar - contains either polar or nonpolar

bonds whose dipoles cancel to zero. These
molecules do not contain any dipole moment.
• Polar - has polar bond whole dipoles is more
than zero. In the presence of an electric field,
the positive ends of the molecules orient
themselves towards the negative plate. These
molecules contain a dipole moment.
Dipole usually refers to the separation of charges
within a molecule between two covalently bonded
atoms or atoms that share an ionic bond.

Dipole moment refers to the distribution of

electrons between two bonded atoms in a
compound/molecule. By definition, the dipole
moment is the product of the charge, Q, and the
distance between the charges, r. To maintain
neutrality, the charges on the ends of the molecule
must be equal in magnitude but opposite in sign.
 Factors that Determine Polarity of
molecules
Type of Bond ELECTRONEGATIVITY
TYPE OF BOND
Bond polarity is DIFFERENCE

determined by the
IONIC 1.7 - 2.0
electronegativity
difference. The higher POLAR 0.5 - 1.7

the difference, the more

NONPOLAR 0 - 0.5
polar the bond will be.
 Factors that Determine Polarity of
molecules

Shape of Molecule
Axis of Symmetry -
molecules that are
symmetrical are all
nonpolar even though the
bonds are polar.
 General Steps to determine the
Polarity of Molecules:

Step 1: Draw a reasonable Lewis structure for the substance.

Step 2: Identify each bond as either polar or nonpolar. (If the
difference in electronegativity for the atoms in a bond is
greater than 0.4, we consider the bond polar. If the difference
in electronegativity is less than 0.4, the bond is essentially
nonpolar.)
If there are no polar bonds, the molecule is nonpolar.
If the molecule has polar bonds, move on to Step 3.
 General Steps to determine the
Polarity of Molecules:

Step 3: If there is only one central atom, examine the electron

groups around it.
If there are no lone pairs on the central atom, and if all the
bonds to the central atom are the same, the molecule is
nonpolar.
If the central atom has at least one polar bond and if the
groups bonded to the central atom are not all identical, the
molecule is probably polar. Move on to Step 4.
Step 4: Draw a geometric sketch of the molecule.
 General Steps to determine the
Polarity of Molecules:

Step 5: Determine the symmetry of the molecule using the

following steps.
Describe the polar bonds with arrows pointing toward the
more electronegative element. Use the length of the arrow to
show the relative polarities of the different bonds. (A greater
difference in electronegativity suggests a more polar bond,
which is described with a longer arrow.)
 General Steps to determine the
Polarity of Molecules:

Decide whether the arrangement of arrows is symmetrical or

asymmetrical
If the arrangement is symmetrical and the arrows are of equal
length, the molecule is nonpolar.
If the arrows are of different lengths, and if they do not balance
each other, the molecule is polar.
If the arrangement is asymmetrical, the molecule is polar.
 Is carbon dioxide a polar molecule or not?

STEP 2
1 δ- 2 δ+ δ-
EN(O) – 3.5
EN(C) – 2.5
1.0
POLAR BOND

STEP 3 NONPOLAR MOLECULE

Is ammonia a polar molecule? If so, which is the
partially negative end?
Practice Exercise:
Using the VSEPR theory, give the electron
pair orientation and predict the geometry
of the following:

1. SiH₄
2. NF₃
3. H₂S