Molecular Shape and Bonding Theories Vocabulary

Flashcards for vocabulary review on Molecular Shape and Bonding Theories.

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory

Predicts the geometry of molecules based on electrostatic repulsions between electron pairs in chemical bonds and lone pairs on central atoms.

Electron Geometry

The arrangement of electron pairs around the central atom, including both bonding pairs and lone pairs.

Molecular Geometry

The actual shape of the molecule, which only includes the bonding electron pairs and the atoms' locations.

Linear Geometry

A molecular geometry where atoms are arranged in a straight line (180° bond angle).

Trigonal Planar Geometry

A molecular geometry where three atoms are arranged around a central atom in a flat, triangular shape (120° bond angles).

Tetrahedral Geometry

A molecular geometry where four atoms are arranged around a central atom in a three-dimensional tetrahedral shape (109.5° bond angles).

Trigonal Bipyramidal Geometry

A molecular geometry with five atoms around a central atom, with three in a trigonal plane and two in axial positions.

Octahedral Geometry

A molecular geometry with six atoms arranged symmetrically around a central atom, forming an octahedron.

Bonding Pair vs. Bonding Pair Repulsion

The repulsion between two bonding pairs of electrons.

Lone Pair vs. Bonding Pair Repulsion

The repulsion between a lone pair of electrons and a bonding pair of electrons. Stronger than bonding pair vs. bonding pair repulsion.

Lone Pair vs. Lone Pair Repulsion

The repulsion between two lone pairs of electrons. Strongest type of electron repulsion.

Dipole Moment

A measure of the polarity of a molecule, resulting from unequal sharing of electrons in polar bonds.

Sigma (σ) Bond

A covalent bond formed by end-to-end overlap of orbitals, with electron density concentrated between the nuclei of bonding atoms.

Pi (π) Bond

A covalent bond formed by sideways overlap of orbitals, with electron density concentrated above and below the plane of nuclei of the bonding atoms.

Hybridization

The mixing of two or more atomic orbitals to form a new set of hybrid orbitals.

Molecular Orbital Theory

A bonding theory describing the formation of molecular orbitals through the interaction of atomic orbitals, associated with the entire molecule.

Bonding Molecular Orbital

A molecular orbital with lower energy and greater stability than the atomic orbitals from which it was formed.

Antibonding Molecular Orbital

A molecular orbital with higher energy and lower stability than the atomic orbitals from which it was formed.

Bond Order

The number of electron pairs shared between two atoms minus the number of electron pairs in antibonding orbitals. Indicates the strength of a bond.