Square Planar vs Tetrahedral

[Peter Nguyen 2I]

What is the difference between square planar and tetrahedral? They both have 5 atoms but why are they different shapes?

[Dayna Pham 1I]

Hello! Square planar is with regards to molecular geometry/arrangement, that is, it considers the lone pairs and how their repulsion affect the bond angle. However, tetrahedral is with regards to the shape of the molecule, only considering the atoms and not the lone pairs.

[Daniel Lai]

Square planar has two lone pairs that cause the 4 atoms surrounding the central atom to form a square. Tetrahedral has no lone pairs .

[Lasya Gudipudi 1A]

Also, in the example we did in class with XeF₄, this is a square planar because it has 4 bonding pairs plus 2 lone pairs while a tetrahedral only has 4 bonding pairs, such as CH₄. XeF4 has 6 regions of electron density while CH4 has 4 regions of electron density, which can also play a role in the molecule's shape.

[Jaqueline Monreal 2L]

although they both have four bonds the square planar has 2 more areas of electron density because of the extra 2 lone pairs, therefore they have to be different shapes

[305117729]

square planar has 6 electron domains and 4 of them are forming bonds, 2 lone pairs. while tetrahedral shape has 4 electron domains and all of them form bond, no lone pair

[Nicole Jakiel 4F]

According to the lecture notes:
Tetrahedral: the central atom has 4 bonding pairs
Square Planar: the central atom has 4 bonding pairs and 2 lone pairs

[Karina Jiayu Xu 4E]

So does square planar molecules have AX4E2 and tetrahedral just Ax4?

[Jordan Y4D]

The difference is based on the actual lewis dot structure. Square Planar is AX4E2, whereas tetrahedral is simply AX4. This is a significant difference.