(CHAPTER 4) Molecular Structure and Orbitals

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to molecular structure and orbitals.

VSEPR Model

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion model; determines molecular structure based on minimizing electron pair repulsions.

Bond Polarity

A property of a bond where one atom has a partial negative charge and the other has a partial positive charge due to differences in electronegativity.

Dipole Moment

A measure of the separation of positive and negative charges in a molecule, represented by an arrow pointing to the negative charge.

Hybridization

The mixing of atomic orbitals to form new hybrid orbitals suitable for the pairing of electrons to form chemical bonds.

sp3 Hybridization

Occurs when one s orbital and three p orbitals mix to form four equivalent tetrahedral orbitals.

Trigonal Planar Geometry

A molecular structure with three bonded atoms evenly spaced at 120-degree angles around a central atom.

Tetrahedral Geometry

A three-dimensional structure with four bonded atoms positioned at approximately 109.5-degree angles from one another.

Octahedral Geometry

A molecular structure formed when a central atom is surrounded by six bonded atoms, positioned at 90-degree angles.

Paramagnetism

The property of a substance that is attracted into a magnetic field, due to the presence of unpaired electrons.

Bond Order

The difference between the number of bonding electrons and antibonding electrons divided by two; indicates bond strength.

Electron Pair Repulsion

The repulsion between electron pairs that determines the geometry of the molecule.

Lewis Structure

A diagram that represents the valence electrons of atoms within a molecule and illustrates how they are bonded together.

Sigma Bond

A type of covalent bond formed by the direct overlap of atomic orbitals resulting in a bond along the axis connecting the two nuclei.

Pi Bond

A covalent bond formed by the side-on overlap of p orbitals, usually found in double and triple bonds.

V-shaped Molecule

A molecular shape characterized by a central atom bonded to two atoms with a lone pair of electrons, resulting in a bent configuration.

Diatomic Molecule

A molecule composed of two identical atoms.

Heteronuclear Diatomic Molecule

A molecule composed of two different atoms.

Resonance Structures

Different ways of drawing the same molecule that contribute to the overall structure and chemical behavior.