CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY

In instantaneous dipoles, when we learned that two rod-shaped molecules are closer, and thus the intermolecular forces will be stronger, than two spherically-shaped molecules. But is there a way of knowing which shape the molecule is, rod or spherical?

Most molecules are spherical but molecules with multiple Carbon atoms often form chains with other atoms (usually Hydrogen) coming off each carbon which creates a rod shaped molecule. For example, Pentane (C5H12).

One way to differentiate two molecules, assuming we don't know their shape, is to differentiate each through their name. For instance, two molecules have the same molecular formula, C5H12. However, one is called pentane where as the other is called 2, 2 dimethylpropane. Pentane is a rod shaped molecule, ie the carbons are found in a single chain, whereas 2, 2 dimethylpropane is found to be a more spherical molecule with a central carbon attached to four outer carbon, which are in turn attached to 3 hydrogen each

One way to differentiate two molecules, assuming we don't know their shape, is to differentiate each through their name. For instance, two molecules have the same molecular formula, C5H12. However, one is called pentane where as the other is called 2, 2 dimethylpropane. Pentane is a rod shaped molecule, ie the carbons are found in a single chain, whereas 2, 2 dimethylpropane is found to be a more spherical molecule with a central carbon attached to four outer carbon, which are in turn attached to 3 hydrogen each