Molecular Shape

[Claudeth Martinez 1D]

Hello,

How can I tell apart when it is linear or bent/angular? thank you!

[Anna O 2C]

I'm pretty sure a molecule is going to be linear as long as there aren't any lone pairs on the central atom. When the molecule is linear, there aren't any lone pairs taking up space and pushing the other attached atoms away, thus bending the molecular shape. I think this only applies to chains of atoms like CN or OCl2.

[Ivan Tadeja 1G]

If there are no lone pairs on the central atom, then the configuration is linear which means the bond angle will always be 180 degrees.

[Jackie Ngo 1C]

The difference between a bent molecule and a linear one is that the bent molecule has lone pairs whereas the linear one doesn't. This makes sense because the lone pair on the central atom creates a charge that pushes the outside atoms away, consequently bending the molecule.

[Nicolette_Canlian_2L]

I think there might also be a chart to help memorize the different shapes of molecules. It should list the number of bonded and lone pairs, which determine the molecular shape.

[Ethan Yi 1K]

just look and see if there are any lone pairs. If there are, there will be repulsion with the bonding pairs and thus a bent shape will be formed.