Wolf Creek Online High School Chemistry A, Chemical Bonding Unit

Exploring the VSEPR Theory and Molecules

Instructor: Hanna Coleman
Overview
In this lesson, students will be introduced to the valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory, Lewis dot structures for molecules, and molecular shape. By utilizing two iPad applications, students will draw Lewis structures on an iPad, observe 3-D molecules, identify molecular shape, and eventually predict the shape of a molecule.

Warm-up Students will watch a short video tutorial online,

located in the Moodle class, on how to access and use the Molecules app on their iPad. Students will be encouraged to view and compare the 3-D models of caffeine, insulin, and DNA.

Lesson Plan
Students will: Watch a presentation on the VSEPR theory, located in the Moodle class. The presentation will include an overview of the theory, along with specific examples of how the theory is used to predict molecular shape. Be given a 3-D molecule, water, and need to use the VSEPR theory to explain why it is a bent shape. They will submit their explanation as an online text in the Moodle class. Load the Lewis Dots application on their iPad. They will view the example video tutorial, located in the Moodle class, on how to build molecules. They will be given a list of ten molecules in a shared Google doc, which they need to correctly build using the app. Save the ten molecule illustrations as an image and insert the image into a copy of the shared Google doc. Use the Molecules app to load and view the same ten molecules located in the Google doc. They will record the shape of the molecule in the same document as above. Analyze the ten molecules shapes and identify trends based on number of atoms and lone pairs in the molecule in the same document as above. Students will share their Google doc with the instructor. Participate in a synchronous session with the instructor and predict the molecular shape of five molecules, without using the Molecular app.

Learning Setting
The students engaged in this lesson are enrolled in an online high school. They would be in either the 10th or 11th grade. All content is located and accessed through Moodle, a learning management system.

Prior Knowledge:
Prior to beginning this lesson, students should be able to: compare and contrast an ionic and covalent bond. determine the relative electronegativity of an element. give a name and chemical symbol for a molecule. illustrate the Lewis Dot structure for an element using the Lewis Dot app on an iPad. navigate and know how to access information on an iPad. navigate and know how to use Google docs.

Lesson Objectives
At the completion of this lesson, students will be able to: explain how the VSEPR theory applies to the molecular structure. illustrate Lewis Dot molecular structures using the Lewis Dot app on an iPad. predict molecular shape based on the VSEPR theory and examples from Molecular app on an iPad. apply technology skills in completing tasks and submitting products.

Minnesota State Standards

Strand 2: Physical Science Substrand 1: Matter Chemical and physical properties result from the ability of atoms to form bonds. Explain how elements combine to form compounds through ionic and covalent bonds.

Grading
Explanation of the shape of water using the VSEPR theory is accurate and specific. (10 points) The Lewis Dot illustrations, inserted as image, using the iPad app are correctly done. (10 points) The molecule shapes, submitted via Google Doc, using the iPad app are correct. (10 points) Molecular shape trends based on number of

Time to Complete
This activity will take an estimated 60 minutes to complete.

Materials
Students will need the following materials: an iPad,

access to the World Wide Web, the Lewis Dots app ($2.99), and the Molecules app (Free).

atoms and lone pairs are thoroughly outlined. (5 points) Prediction of molecular shape is accurate. (5 points)