Naming

[Madison Hurst]

Several times in lecture Dr. Lavelle said the shape would be one thing if looking at lone pairs, however it would be named differently. How do we know when to name it correctly based on regions of e- density and when to just give the general shape that considers lone pairs?

[Sara Flynn 2C]

If the question asks for the shape of electron arrangement, then you would consider all electron densities including the lone pairs. If he question asks for the molecular shape, then you would only consider the bonded atoms.

[katie_sutton1B]

I believe that would be stated directly in the question. If asked for molecular geometry, then you would give the VSEPR geometry which excludes the lone pair in naming the shape. If asked for electron domain geometry, then you would give the shape which includes the lone pairs

[Venya Vaddi 1L]

I believe Dr. Lavelle said that he will generally ask for molecular shape, not the shape of the electron geometry.

[harshitasarambale4I]

It also helps to look at the VSEPR formulas when determining shape name. For example, AX2E is generally always bent.