Molecular Shape and Bonding Theories

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms from the lecture on Molecular Shape and Bonding Theories.

VSEPR

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion; a model used to predict the 3D shape of molecules based on electron pair repulsion.

Molecular Geometry

The three-dimensional arrangement of the atoms in a molecule.

Bond Angle

The angle formed between three atoms across at least two bonds.

Electron Domain

Regions in which electrons are likely to be found, including bonded atoms and lone pairs.

Trigonal Planar

Molecular shape with three electron domains arranged in a flat triangle.

Tetrahedral

Molecular shape with four electron domains forming a three-dimensional structure.

Polarity

A property of molecules that leads to a separation of electric charge, resulting in a dipole moment.

Sigma Bond (σ bond)

A type of covalent bond formed by the head-on overlap of atomic orbitals.

Pi Bond (π bond)

A type of covalent bond formed by the side-to-side overlap of atomic orbitals.

Hybridization

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

Molecular Orbital Theory

A theory that accounts for the electronic structure of molecules by considering the collective behavior of electrons in molecular orbitals.

Antibonding Orbital

A molecular orbital that is higher in energy than any of the atomic orbitals that combine to form it, resulting in weaker bonding.

Resonance

The phenomenon where a molecule can be represented by multiple valid Lewis structures.

Paramagnetism

A tendency for a material to be attracted into a magnetic field, occurring in materials with unpaired electrons.

Diamagnetism

A tendency for a material to be repelled from a magnetic field, occurring in materials with all paired electrons.