Browse Activities
Molecule Shapes- inquiry
- Clicker_questions_molecule_shapes_1.pdf - 140 kB
- Clicker_questions_molecule_shapes_1.pptx - 202 kB
- Molecule_Shapes_1_Lesson_plan.docx - 22 kB
- Molecule_Shapes_1_Lesson_plan.pdf - 136 kB
- Molecule_Shapes_1_student_directions.docx - 21 kB
- Molecule_Shapes_1_student_directions.pdf - 142 kB
| Title | Molecule Shapes- inquiry |
| Description | This was used in class or as homework depending on the schedule. Learning Goals: Students will be able to: •Identify substances to which “Molecular geometry” applies. •Name molecule and electron geometries for basic molecules. •Explain the model being used to predict molecule geometry. •Predict common molecular geometry from the number of electron pairs and bonded atoms around a central atom of basic compounds |
| Subject | Chemistry |
| Level | High School, Undergrad - Intro |
| Type | Concept Questions, Homework, Lab |
| Answers Included | No |
| Language | English |
| Keywords | bonding, covalent, ionic, lewis, linear. bent, lone pairs, molecules, nomenclature, phet, tetrahedral |
| Simulation(s) | Molecule Shapes (HTML5), Molecule Shapes |
| Author(s) | Trish Loeblein |
| Contact Email | patricia.loeblein@colorado.edu |
| School / Organization | PhET |
| Date submitted | 10/23/11 |
| Date updated | 5/27/15 |
Comments
Having been in a number of conversations with the Phet help desk I appreciate that the simulation is not perfect at this point. That said, it's worth also knowing that the simulation doesn't take into account double or triple bond affects on molecular geometry for non-resonance molecules. This is not likely to be an issue for the standard honors/college prep type chemistry class, but if you driving at a level higher than this (AP or college level) you want to be aware of it.
James
2/10/12
Please read the Teacher's guide http://phet.colorado.edu/files/teachers-guide/molecule-shapes-guide.pdf section 6 about the model used for the simulation. You will see that the first tab is meant to allow students to gain a basic understanding of the VSPER model, without the complications of how lone pairs or multiple bonds complicate bond angles. Since the bonds vary greatly depending on the molecule, we chose to have "Real Molecules" as a second tab with representative compounds.
Trish
3/2/14
