Molecules+and+shapes



When determining the shape of the molecule, you must look at the number of bonds there are. A common rule for naming the shape of the molecular structure is: 2 bonds = bent 3 bonds = pyramidal 4 bonds = tetrahedral (see examples above)

The degrees of the angles are also shown above. Bent structures have an angle of 104.5 degrees. Pyramidal structures have an angle of 107.3 degrees. Tetrahedral structures have an angle of 109.5 degrees.

Double bonds: If Carbon is bonded to three atoms and twice to one, this makes carbon flat (trigonal planar).

Something important to note: Carbon makes 4 bonds Nitrogen makes 3 bonds Oxygen makes 2 bonds Hydrogen makes 1 bond These are the four most abundant elements and are used quite often in chemistry. The number of bonds they make is a reflection of which column they are in on the periodic table.