Molecular Geometry and Hybridization

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering molecular geometries, bonded atom counts, lone pair counts, bond angles, hybridization types, and chemical examples.

Linear (0 lone pairs)

Molecular geometry characterized by $2$ bonded atoms, $0$ lone pairs, a bond angle of $180^\circ$, and $sp$ hybridization (e.g., $CO_2$, $HCN$).

Trigonal planar

Molecular geometry characterized by $3$ bonded atoms, $0$ lone pairs, a bond angle of $120^\circ$, and $sp^2$ hybridization (e.g., $BF_3$, $SO_3$).

Bent (1 lone pair)

Molecular geometry characterized by $2$ bonded atoms, $1$ lone pair, a bond angle of less than $120^\circ$, and $sp^2$ hybridization (e.g., $SO_2$, $O_3$).

Bent (2 lone pairs)

Molecular geometry characterized by $2$ bonded atoms, $2$ lone pairs, a bond angle of approximately $104.5^\circ$ for $H_2O$, and $sp^3$ hybridization (e.g., $H_2O$, $OF_2$).

Tetrahedral

Molecular geometry characterized by $4$ bonded atoms, $0$ lone pairs, a bond angle of $109.5^\circ$, and $sp^3$ hybridization (e.g., $CH_4$, $CCl_4$).

Trigonal pyramidal

Molecular geometry characterized by $3$ bonded atoms, $1$ lone pair, a bond angle of approximately $107^\circ$, and $sp^3$ hybridization (e.g., $NH_3$, $PCl_3$).

Trigonal bipyramidal

Molecular geometry characterized by $5$ bonded atoms, $0$ lone pairs, bond angles of $90^\circ$, $120^\circ$, and $180^\circ$, and $sp^3d$ hybridization (e.g., $PCl_5$, $PF_5$).

Seesaw

Molecular geometry characterized by $4$ bonded atoms, $1$ lone pair, bond angles of less than $90^\circ$ and less than $120^\circ$, and $sp^3d$ hybridization (e.g., $SF_4$, $SeF_4$).

T-shaped

Molecular geometry characterized by $3$ bonded atoms, $2$ lone pairs, bond angles of approximately $90^\circ$ and $180^\circ$, and $sp^3d$ hybridization (e.g., $ClF_3$, $BrF_3$).

Linear (3 lone pairs)

Molecular geometry characterized by $2$ bonded atoms, $3$ lone pairs, a bond angle of $180^\circ$, and $sp^3d$ hybridization (e.g., $XeF_2$, $I_3^-$).

Octahedral

Molecular geometry characterized by $6$ bonded atoms, $0$ lone pairs, bond angles of $90^\circ$ and $180^\circ$, and $sp^3d^2$ hybridization (e.g., $SF_6$, $PF_6^-$).

Square pyramidal

Molecular geometry characterized by $5$ bonded atoms, $1$ lone pair, bond angles of approximately $90^\circ$ and $180^\circ$, and $sp^3d^2$ hybridization (e.g., $BrF_5$, $IF_5$).

Square planar

Molecular geometry characterized by $4$ bonded atoms, $2$ lone pairs, bond angles of $90^\circ$ and $180^\circ$, and $sp^3d^2$ hybridization (e.g., $XeF_4$, $ICl_4^-$).