ASSIGNMENT / CHM420 / MAR2021

ASSIGNMENT FOR CHM420

CHAPTER 5: CHEMICAL BONDING

INSTRUCTIONS
This assignment consists of three (3) questions (30 marks = 10%). Answer all the
questions.

QUESTION 1
Explain the polarity of a water (H2O) molecule with the help of a polarity structure.
Objective: To understand the concept of bond polarity.
Tips: Your answer must be relating to the chemical structure and electronegativity.
(10 marks)

Answer Marks
The term “polarity” refers to whether or not the electrons are evenly 1m
distributed all around the molecule.

In a molecule, if one element is more electronegative than another,

2m
it will “steal” away the electrons from the other atoms. This means there
will be more negative charge concentrated in one area of a molecule as
compared to the rest of it.

The more unevenly the electrons are distributed, the more polar a 1m
molecule will be.

H2O (water) is a polar molecule because the oxygen atom is so

much more electronegative than the two hydrogen atoms it is 2m
bonded to.

That means that the oxygen atom is going to “steal” away the electrons
shared with the hydrogen atoms. If the hydrogen atoms have lost 2m
their only electrons, they will have a positive charge (like a cation)
and since the oxygen has “grabbed onto” some extra electrons, it will
have a negative charge (like an anion).

2m

**Any relevant answers are accepted.

 ASSIGNMENT / CHM420 / MAR2021

QUESTION 2
Construct a Lewis structure for SO32- and calculate the formal charge for each atom
involves.
Objective: To draw Lewis structure and calculate formal charge in a correct way.
Tips: Your answer must be including the step by step strategies to draw the Lewis
structure (Including resonance structure – if any). The answer must be shown in a table
form.

(10 marks)

Answer Marks
1. Calculate the total number of valence electrons 2m

S = 1 x 6 electrons = 6 electrons
O = 3 x 6 electrons = 18 electrons
Add 2 electrons (-2) = 2 electrons
Total = 26 electrons

2. Draw the skeletal structure of the molecule 1m

O S O

3. Calculate the bonding and remaining electrons 1m

O S O

Balance electrons = 26 – 6 = 20

4. Assign the remaining electrons to form octet 1m

 ASSIGNMENT / CHM420 / MAR2021

O S O

5. Each oxygen atom will get a -1 charge and sulfur atom get a +1 1m
charge. (Formal charge
O calculation/label
O S O in the structure)

6. Check the stability and minimize charges on atoms by converting 3 m – Complete

lone pairs to bonds. Change the location of double bond and lone
resonance
pairs of molecule to draw resonance structures of SO32- ion.
structure

O O O +

O S O O S O O S O
Calculation

(1) (2) (3) formal

charge/label in
the structure (1
m)

QUESTION 3
The shape (or molecular geometry) of a substance determines how it will react with other
substances. This molecular geometry plays a huge role in chemical reactions i.e in the
environment, engineering, as well as in our bodies. Aspirin, a medicinal compound with a
three-dimensional shape of molecule is one of the great examples in human health.
Explain why.
Objective: To relate the topic with chemistry in real life.
Tips: Your answer must be including all the related information on molecular geometry in
terms of the basic concept, factors that affect the molecular geometry, and the effects of
molecular shape on a chemical reaction.

(10 marks)
 ASSIGNMENT / CHM420 / MAR2021

Answer Marks
• Molecular geometry, also known as the molecular structure, is the 2m
three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in a molecule. The
molecular geometry of a substance comes from on how the atoms are
bonded together.

• Some of the factors that will affect the molecular geometry are
electronegativity and polarity that play an important role in how the 2m
atoms line up with one another, resulting in some strange “bends” and
“stretches” in a molecule’s shape.

• The shape of a molecule determines which receptors it can

2m
interact with, which determines its possible effects.

• When a substance (aspirin) enters the human body, it will begin to

interact with protein receptors. These receptors are responsible for
communicating with the brain and other body systems in order to carry 2m
out important biological functions.

• When an aspirin molecule’s shape is allows to bind onto one of

these receptors, the molecule has the opportunity to change the
natural chemistry of the body and manipulate the receptor’s normal 2m

actions. This is how medicines treat symptoms in our body.

**Any relevant answers are accepted.

End of Questions