Crashcourse Flashcards
The molecular shape, or geometry, of a molecule is determined by the arrangement of atoms around a central atom, influenced by several key factors. These include:
- Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory: According to VSEPR theory, electron pairs around the central atom repel each other and arrange themselves as far apart as possible to minimize repulsion. The geometry is dictated by the number of bonding pairs (shared electrons) and lone pairs (unshared electrons) around the central atom.
- Number of Bonding Pairs and Lone Pairs:
• Bonding pairs are shared between atoms, while lone pairs are on the central atom.
• Lone pairs repel more strongly than bonding pairs, pushing bonding pairs closer together and affecting the overall shape. For example, in a tetrahedral arrangement, if there’s one lone pair, the geometry shifts to a trigonal pyramidal shape (as in ammonia, NH₃). - Electronegativity: This is the ability of an atom to attract bonding electrons. High electronegativity differences can cause bonds to be polar, slightly altering bond angles due to uneven electron distribution. For example, in water (H₂O), oxygen’s high electronegativity slightly compresses the bond angle.
- Bond Order: Multiple bonds (double or triple bonds) contain more electrons and thus have more repulsion, slightly affecting bond angles compared to single bonds. For example, in carbon dioxide (CO₂), two double bonds create a linear shape.
- Steric Effects and Size of Atoms: Larger atoms or groups on the central atom increase steric hindrance, affecting bond angles by pushing other atoms away.
- Number of Bonding Pairs and Lone Pairs:
Steric Effects and Size of Atoms:
Larger atoms or groups on the central atom increase steric hindrance, affecting bond angles by pushing other atoms away.
Steric Effects and Size of Atoms:
Larger atoms or groups on the central atom increase steric hindrance, affecting bond angles by pushing other atoms away.
Bond Order:
Multiple bonds (double or triple bonds) contain more electrons and thus have more repulsion, slightly affecting bond angles compared to single bonds. For example, in carbon dioxide (CO₂), two double bonds create a linear shape.
Electronegativity
: This is the ability of an atom to attract bonding electrons. High electronegativity differences can cause bonds to be polar, slightly altering bond angles due to uneven electron distribution. For example, in water (H₂O), oxygen’s high electronegativity slightly compresses the bond angle.
Electronegativity
: This is the ability of an atom to attract bonding electrons. High electronegativity differences can cause bonds to be polar, slightly altering bond angles due to uneven electron distribution. For example, in water (H₂O), oxygen’s high electronegativity slightly compresses the bond angle.
Number of Bonding Pairs and Lone Pairs:
• Bonding pairs are shared between atoms, while lone pairs are on the central atom.
• Lone pairs repel more strongly than bonding pairs, pushing bonding pairs closer together and affecting the overall shape. For example, in a tetrahedral arrangement, if there’s one lone pair, the geometry shifts to a trigonal pyramidal shape (as in ammonia, NH₃).
Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory:
According to VSEPR theory, electron pairs around the central atom repel each other and arrange themselves as far apart as possible to minimize repulsion. The geometry is dictated by the number of bonding pairs (shared electrons) and lone pairs (unshared electrons) around the central atom.
Electron Shells
• Definition: Electron shells are the main energy levels surrounding an atom’s nucleus, often designated by the principal quantum number n (e.g., n=1, 2, 3…).
• Purpose: Shells indicate the approximate distance of electrons from the nucleus and the energy level an electron occupies.
• Structure: Each shell is made up of one or more subshells and can hold a limited number of electrons:
• The first shell holds up to 2 electrons.
• The second shell holds up to 8 electrons.
• Higher shells can hold progressively more electrons.
• Energy Levels: The energy of a shell increases with distance from the nucleus, meaning that electrons in higher shells have more energy.
Electron Orbitals
• Definition: Orbitals are regions within subshells where electrons have a high probability of being located. They are shaped based on mathematical probability rather than distinct paths.
• Purpose: Orbitals define more specifically where electrons are likely to be found within a subshell, reflecting complex shapes (e.g., spherical, dumbbell-shaped) that influence chemical bonding and properties.
• Types: Each type of orbital (s, p, d, f) has a distinct shape and orientation in space:
• s-orbitals: Spherical and found in every shell.
• p-orbitals: Dumbbell-shaped and begin in the second shell.
• d- and f-orbitals: More complex shapes, found in higher shells.
• Capacity: Each orbital holds a maximum of 2 electrons with opposite spins
Factors Differentiating Shells and OrbitalsL
- Quantum Numbers:
• Principal Quantum Number (n): Defines the shell’s energy level.
• Azimuthal Quantum Number (l): Defines the shape of the orbital (e.g., s, p, d, f).
• Magnetic Quantum Number (mₗ): Determines the orientation of the orbital in space.
• Spin Quantum Number (mₛ): Specifies the spin of the electron within an orbital.- Energy and Spatial Complexity:
• Shells provide a rough framework for electron distribution, while orbitals reflect a more accurate, complex model of electron positioning within those shells. - Chemical Behavior:
• Orbitals directly impact how atoms bond. For example, the shapes of p and d orbitals affect bond angles and molecule geometry, while shells alone do not give this level of detail.
- Energy and Spatial Complexity:
In summary, electron shells provide a broad framework for understanding electron energy levels, while orbitals describe specific electron locations, shapes, and orientations within those shells, giving a more detailed understanding of atomic structure and chemical bonding.
Factors Differentiating Shells and OrbitalsL
- Quantum Numbers:
• Principal Quantum Number (n): Defines the shell’s energy level.
• Azimuthal Quantum Number (l): Defines the shape of the orbital (e.g., s, p, d, f).
• Magnetic Quantum Number (mₗ): Determines the orientation of the orbital in space.
• Spin Quantum Number (mₛ): Specifies the spin of the electron within an orbital.- Energy and Spatial Complexity:
• Shells provide a rough framework for electron distribution, while orbitals reflect a more accurate, complex model of electron positioning within those shells. - Chemical Behavior:
• Orbitals directly impact how atoms bond. For example, the shapes of p and d orbitals affect bond angles and molecule geometry, while shells alone do not give this level of detail.
- Energy and Spatial Complexity:
In summary, electron shells provide a broad framework for understanding electron energy levels, while orbitals describe specific electron locations, shapes, and orientations within those shells, giving a more detailed understanding of atomic structure and chemical bonding.
What is the order of electron orbitals from lowest energy to highest energy
The order of electron orbitals from lowest to highest energy generally follows the Aufbau principle, which states that electrons fill orbitals in order of increasing energy. This order depends on the principal quantum number n and the type of orbital (s, p, d, f). The general order is:
1. 1s 2. 2s 3. 2p 4. 3s 5. 3p 6. 4s 7. 3d 8. 4p 9. 5s 10. 4d 11. 5p 12. 6s 13. 4f 14. 5d 15. 6p 16. 7s 17. 5f 18. 6d
Key Points
• Aufbau Principle: Electrons fill orbitals in the order of increasing energy, filling the lowest available energy level first. • Exceptions: Some transition and heavier elements have exceptions to this order due to electron-electron interactions and stability considerations. For instance, 4s is filled before 3d, but during ionization or in some elements, electrons may leave the 4s orbital first.
This order, often summarized using the “diagonal rule” in chemistry, reflects the balance between proximity to the nucleus (shell level) and electron repulsion within orbitals, resulting in this specific filling sequence.
What molecular shape does 2 areas of electron density form? Explain
When there are 2 areas of electron density (such as bonding pairs or lone pairs) around a central atom, the molecular shape formed is linear. This happens because:
1. VSEPR Theory: According to Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory, electron pairs around the central atom repel each other and tend to arrange themselves as far apart as possible to minimize repulsion. 2. Electron Density Arrangement: With two areas of electron density, the only way to maximize separation is by placing the electron pairs 180° apart. This arrangement forms a straight line, resulting in a linear shape. 3. Bond Angle: This linear arrangement gives a bond angle of 180° between the two atoms bonded to the central atom.
Example
A classic example of a molecule with a linear shape is carbon dioxide (CO₂), where the central carbon atom has two areas of electron density due to its two double bonds with oxygen atoms. Since there are no lone pairs, the two bonds push away from each other as far as possible, forming a linear geometry with a 180° bond angle.
Bonding and non-bonding pairs of electrons are sometimes referred to as:
-
Bonding Pairs:
- Often called shared pairs or bond pairs because these are the pairs of electrons involved in covalent bonds, shared between two atoms to form a chemical bond.
-
Non-Bonding Pairs:
- Commonly known as lone pairs or unshared pairs. These are pairs of valence electrons that are not involved in bonding and remain localized on a single atom. Lone pairs can still influence molecular geometry and bond angles due to their electron repulsion effects.
These terms help distinguish the role each pair plays in determining molecular structure and properties.
Bonding and non-bonding pairs of electrons are sometimes referred to as:
-
Bonding Pairs:
- Often called shared pairs or bond pairs because these are the pairs of electrons involved in covalent bonds, shared between two atoms to form a chemical bond.
-
Non-Bonding Pairs:
- Commonly known as lone pairs or unshared pairs. These are pairs of valence electrons that are not involved in bonding and remain localized on a single atom. Lone pairs can still influence molecular geometry and bond angles due to their electron repulsion effects.
These terms help distinguish the role each pair plays in determining molecular structure and properties.
Bonding and non-bonding pairs of electrons are sometimes referred to as:
-
Bonding Pairs:
- Often called shared pairs or bond pairs because these are the pairs of electrons involved in covalent bonds, shared between two atoms to form a chemical bond.
-
Non-Bonding Pairs:
- Commonly known as lone pairs or unshared pairs. These are pairs of valence electrons that are not involved in bonding and remain localized on a single atom. Lone pairs can still influence molecular geometry and bond angles due to their electron repulsion effects.
These terms help distinguish the role each pair plays in determining molecular structure and properties.
The shape of CH₄ (methane) is tetrahedral.
Explanation:
1. Electron Pairs: The carbon atom in CH₄ has four areas of electron density (four bonding pairs) as it forms four single covalent bonds with four hydrogen atoms. 2. VSEPR Theory: According to VSEPR theory, these four bonding pairs of electrons repel each other and arrange themselves as far apart as possible to minimize repulsion. The optimal arrangement for four electron pairs is a tetrahedral shape. 3. Bond Angle: In a tetrahedral geometry, the bond angle between the hydrogen atoms is 109.5°.
Summary:
• Molecular shape: Tetrahedral • Bond angle: 109.5°
This arrangement gives CH₄ a symmetrical shape, contributing to its nonpolar nature.
To determine the shape of a molecule, you can use the following steps:
To determine the shape of a molecule, you can use the following steps:
- Draw the Lewis Structure• Identify the total number of valence electrons in the molecule.
• Arrange the electrons to show how atoms are bonded, and place lone pairs (non-bonding pairs) around the central atom as needed to complete octets (or duets for hydrogen). - Count Electron Density Regions around the Central Atom• Identify the central atom (typically the least electronegative element, except hydrogen).
• Count the total number of electron density regions (areas of electron density) around the central atom. These can be:
• Bonding pairs (single, double, or triple bonds all count as one region).
• Lone pairs (non-bonding pairs of electrons). - Apply the VSEPR Theory• Use Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory, which states that electron density regions repel each other and will arrange themselves as far apart as possible to minimize repulsion.
• Based on the number of bonding and lone pairs, refer to the VSEPR model to predict the molecular shape. - Determine Molecular Shape and Bond Angles• The shape is determined by both bonding and lone pairs, but only the positions of atoms (bonding pairs) define the molecular geometry.
• Each combination of electron density regions has a specific geometry and approximate bond angles. Some examples include:
• 2 regions: Linear (180°)
• 3 regions: Trigonal planar (120°) or bent if there’s one lone pair
• 4 regions: Tetrahedral (109.5°), trigonal pyramidal with one lone pair, or bent with two lone pairs
• 5 regions: Trigonal bipyramidal (90°, 120°)
• 6 regions: Octahedral (90°)
Example: Determining the Shape of Water (H₂O)
• Lewis Structure: Oxygen is the central atom with two bonding pairs (H-O bonds) and two lone pairs. • Electron Density Regions: Four regions (two bonding pairs and two lone pairs). • VSEPR Shape Prediction: With four regions, the arrangement is tetrahedral. However, only bonding pairs define the molecular shape, so H₂O has a bent shape. • Bond Angle: About 104.5° due to lone pair repulsion.
Using these steps, you can predict the shape of any molecule based on its electron configuration and bonding structure.
There are four main types of electron orbitals, each with a distinct shape and energy level. These orbitals are labeled as s, p, d, and f orbitals:
- s-orbitals:
• Shape: Spherical.
• Number per energy level: 1.
• Electron capacity: Holds up to 2 electrons.
• Description: Each shell has one s-orbital, starting from the first energy level (n=1). The spherical shape allows electrons to be equally likely to be found at any point around the nucleus.- p-orbitals:
• Shape: Dumbbell-shaped.
• Number per energy level: 3 (px, py, pz), oriented along the x, y, and z axes.
• Electron capacity: Holds up to 6 electrons (2 per orbital).
• Description: Present in every energy level starting from n=2, p-orbitals provide directional electron density, contributing to bonding in specific directions. - d-orbitals:
• Shape: Cloverleaf-shaped (mostly) with a more complex distribution.
• Number per energy level: 5.
• Electron capacity: Holds up to 10 electrons.
• Description: Starting from the third energy level (n=3), d-orbitals have complex shapes that influence bonding and contribute to the unique properties of transition metals. - f-orbitals:
• Shape: Even more complex shapes, often described as multi-lobed.
• Number per energy level: 7.
• Electron capacity: Holds up to 14 electrons.
• Description: Present from the fourth energy level (n=4) onward, f-orbitals play a role in the chemistry of lanthanides and actinides, contributing to the complex behavior of these elements.
- p-orbitals:
There are four main types of electron orbitals, each with a distinct shape and energy level. These orbitals are labeled as s, p, d, and f orbitals:
- s-orbitals:
• Shape: Spherical.
• Number per energy level: 1.
• Electron capacity: Holds up to 2 electrons.
• Description: Each shell has one s-orbital, starting from the first energy level (n=1). The spherical shape allows electrons to be equally likely to be found at any point around the nucleus.- p-orbitals:
• Shape: Dumbbell-shaped.
• Number per energy level: 3 (px, py, pz), oriented along the x, y, and z axes.
• Electron capacity: Holds up to 6 electrons (2 per orbital).
• Description: Present in every energy level starting from n=2, p-orbitals provide directional electron density, contributing to bonding in specific directions. - d-orbitals:
• Shape: Cloverleaf-shaped (mostly) with a more complex distribution.
• Number per energy level: 5.
• Electron capacity: Holds up to 10 electrons.
• Description: Starting from the third energy level (n=3), d-orbitals have complex shapes that influence bonding and contribute to the unique properties of transition metals. - f-orbitals:
• Shape: Even more complex shapes, often described as multi-lobed.
• Number per energy level: 7.
• Electron capacity: Holds up to 14 electrons.
• Description: Present from the fourth energy level (n=4) onward, f-orbitals play a role in the chemistry of lanthanides and actinides, contributing to the complex behavior of these elements.
- p-orbitals:
There are four main types of electron orbitals, each with a distinct shape and energy level. These orbitals are labeled as s, p, d, and f orbitals:
- s-orbitals:
• Shape: Spherical.
• Number per energy level: 1.
• Electron capacity: Holds up to 2 electrons.
• Description: Each shell has one s-orbital, starting from the first energy level (n=1). The spherical shape allows electrons to be equally likely to be found at any point around the nucleus.- p-orbitals:
• Shape: Dumbbell-shaped.
• Number per energy level: 3 (px, py, pz), oriented along the x, y, and z axes.
• Electron capacity: Holds up to 6 electrons (2 per orbital).
• Description: Present in every energy level starting from n=2, p-orbitals provide directional electron density, contributing to bonding in specific directions. - d-orbitals:
• Shape: Cloverleaf-shaped (mostly) with a more complex distribution.
• Number per energy level: 5.
• Electron capacity: Holds up to 10 electrons.
• Description: Starting from the third energy level (n=3), d-orbitals have complex shapes that influence bonding and contribute to the unique properties of transition metals. - f-orbitals:
• Shape: Even more complex shapes, often described as multi-lobed.
• Number per energy level: 7.
• Electron capacity: Holds up to 14 electrons.
• Description: Present from the fourth energy level (n=4) onward, f-orbitals play a role in the chemistry of lanthanides and actinides, contributing to the complex behavior of these elements.
- p-orbitals:
summary table of electron orbitals
summary table of electron orbitals