Molecular Shape vs. Molecular Geometry

(Polar molecules, Non-polar molecules, etc.)

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Hiba Alnajjar_2C
Posts: 108
Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2019 12:17 am

Molecular Shape vs. Molecular Geometry

Postby Hiba Alnajjar_2C » Wed Dec 04, 2019 9:38 pm

Could somebody clarify the difference between molecular shape and molecular geometry? In high school, I had learned it as electron geometry & molecular geometry so I would appreciate clarification about the difference. Does molecular shape treat bonds and lone pairs as the same, whereas molecular geometry makes a distinction between the structure if a bonding pair is replaced with a lone pair? Thanks in advance

Victoria Li 1L
Posts: 51
Joined: Sat Jul 20, 2019 12:15 am

Re: Molecular Shape vs. Molecular Geometry

Postby Victoria Li 1L » Wed Dec 04, 2019 10:32 pm

Geometry refers to the arrangements of regions of electron density around an atom (a.k.a. coordination number; lone pairs + bonds). Shape doesn't account for lone pairs.

jisulee1C
Posts: 149
Joined: Thu Jul 25, 2019 12:17 am

Re: Molecular Shape vs. Molecular Geometry

Postby jisulee1C » Wed Dec 04, 2019 10:41 pm

If there are no lone pairs then the molecular shape is the same as the molecular geometry. In the geometry the arrangement considers a bonded electron pair the same as a lone pair of electrons. The geometry will be either linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, trigonal bipyramidal, or octahedral.

Haley Chun 4H
Posts: 54
Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2019 12:18 am

Re: Molecular Shape vs. Molecular Geometry

Postby Haley Chun 4H » Wed Dec 04, 2019 10:58 pm

Geometry would be the parent shapes: linear, trig planar, tetrahedral, trigonal pyramidal, octahedral. The shape would be like bent, see-saw, etc.

Aedra Li 3H
Posts: 40
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2019 12:17 am

Re: Molecular Shape vs. Molecular Geometry

Postby Aedra Li 3H » Thu Dec 05, 2019 5:51 pm

Shape takes into consideration the electron repulsion that a lone pair would cause.


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