Drawing Lewis Structures with VSPER

[sophiebillings1E]

When drawing the Lewis structure of a trigonal planar model does it matter if the spacing is 120 degrees or can you draw it how we did previously then specify that the angle is 120 degrees.

[Gabriela Aguilar 4H]

If I am not mistaken I remember Dr. Lavelle saying that the correct way to draw the Lewis structure would be with the 120-degree spacing, but it is fine to draw it without the spacing.

[Irene Zhou 1E]

I think drawing it either way would be fine as long as you specify that the molecule is trigonal planar and the bond angle is 120 degrees. Drawing it in its actual position would be a good way to visualize the bond angle though!

[Jonathan Pai 2I]

Lewis structures do not have to be drawn like its shape because in the complex shapes it would be difficult and pointless to try to replicate the 3D shape in 2D. That's why knowing the name and bond angle is important in order to specify.

[Andrewwiner4D]

When it is telling you to draw the VSEPR structure, which I feel we will only be doing from now on, you must specify the bond length.

[michelle]

Lewis structure illustrates 2-D structures while the molecular shape is 3D. So it does not necessarily need to correspond to each other. Lewis structures only need to give a guideline to molecular shapes.