General Molecular Shape

[Bree Perkins 1E]

Hi,
How do tell what the molecular shape of the molecule is? What is the criteria for distinguishing it?

[Solene Poulhazan]

You can look at the number of electron groups and the number of bonding groups (and lone pairs). This will help you identify the molecular shape.

[Gianna Graziano 1A]

Hi Bree,
You can first look at the number of "things" bonded to the central atom, these can be lone pairs or bonded electrons. The number of lone pairs that the central atom has, combined with the number of "bonds" determines the shape. For example, if there are 0 LP and 2 "bonds", the shape will be linear.

[Alexandra Wade 1L]

The best thing you can do is start familiarizing yourself with the general formula and associating each individual formula with its name. For example, AX4E is a seesaw shape, therefore every molecule with 4 bonding pairs and one lone pair on a central atom will have a seesaw shape.