D Activity 1: Thinking Nano

Molecular geometries
You have studied bonding in both ionic compounds and metals. Now, we turn our attention to
compounds that have bonds of electron sharing – covalent bonds. Compounds with covalent bonds
between the nonmetallic elements have basic structural units called molecules. We will first use this
activity to get a basic understanding of molecules and their structure. Once we understand the basics
behind molecules, then we can learn how to best represent the nanoscopic view in each of your Rube
Goldberg apparatus steps.
In lecture, you heard about covalent bonds between atoms and the resulting
molecules. Be sure you understand the definition of the terms molecule and its
proper applications. Molecules can be represented in a number of ways, which we
have discussed briefly in class. Today you are going to get a look at the three-
dimensional structure of the atom to appreciate how these molecules orient
themselves in space and compare this three-dimensional shape to other
representations including structural formulas and molecular formulas.
Molecular formulas, such as CH4, provide the elements covalently bonding, but they
provide no information concerning the actual arrangement of the atoms in the molecule. Structural
formulas, on the other hand, give some information on the arrangement of the molecule, as you can see
in the examples (Figures 1 – 3) for methane (CH4) below.

Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3

.
Each of these is considered a structural formula, with Figures 2 and 3 providing a bit more information on
the actual geometry behind the molecule. In Figure 3, the darker wedge (flying wedge) represents a bond
coming out of the structural formula and the dotted line represents a bond going back into the page.
While helpful, each of these is still two-dimensional; actual molecular shapes are three-dimensional. To
help you visualize the three-dimensional molecule, we will work with molecular models.
In this experiment, you will use our molecule kits to help you visualize the shapes of molecules. The
model kits consist of multicolor spheres representing the atoms, short and long gray links to represent
single and multiple bonds respectively, and tan orbitals to better represent the geometry of the molecular
orbitals involved in bonding. Table 1 summarizes what atom each colored sphere represents in a
molecule.
Table 1: Model Key, Elements
Number of
Element Symbol Color Angle
Holes
o
Carbon C Black 4 109.5
Hydrogen H White 1
o
Oxygen O Red 2 105
o
Nitrogen N Blue 4 109.5
o
Sulfur S Yellow 2 105
Fluorine F Gray 1
Iodine I Green 1
Bromine Br Green 1
Chlorine Cl Green 1
o
Boron B Purple (3 holes) 3 (or 5 – use 3) 120

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P R E P A R I N G

WHAT DO YOU THINK? • LE ARNING OBJECTIVE

Reread the introduction to this activity. Once finished, answer the following questions.
1. What types of atoms typically covalently bond?
2. Define molecule.
3. Explain how the periodic table can predict how many bonds each covalently bonding atom will
probably make. This trend is also a very good rule of thumb, but will have notable exceptions.
As always, include an objective for this activity and share that objective with a teammate or laboratory
partner. If you have questions during the activity, be sure to ask your instructor.

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E X P E R I M E N T I N G

MOLECULAR GEOMETRIES

Building molecules
In your experimenting section you will start at table spanning both columns of the investigating section.
The table will have five columns: molecule name, molecular formula, Lewis dot structure, structural
formula, and instructors initials. (Your instructor will sign off on a molecule after you have built it, so I
know you are building the right things.) Make each row as you go, so that you aren’t trying to cram a
complicated drawing into a small space!
Be careful with the models. They may just be plastic, but they are expensive, well-designed bits of
plastic. Keep the kit organized and all of the parts on the table (i.e. no model fights, please).
1. Construct models of water, methane, and ammonia (NH3). Each of these molecules forms shapes
which represent certain molecular geometries or arrangements of hybrid orbitals, or the orbitals that
result from the covalent bonding of the atoms. Methane is referred to as tetrahedral in shape. As
you can see in the Lewis dot structure, both water and ammonia have electrons clouds that are
tetrahedral, but since lone pairs are involved, the geometry in the models is slightly different. We call
the resulting molecular geometry of ammonia trigonal pyramidal and the resulting molecular
geometry of water bent.
2. Construct models of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), dichlorodifluoromethane
(CCl2F2), and ethane (C2H6). Underneath each structural formula in your table, name the shape.
3. Molecules can also have a linear arrangement of both the electron geometries and the molecular
geometries of the molecular orbitals. Nitrogen gas (N2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and oxygen gas (O2)
are examples of these. Construct these models and complete the chart for each.
4. Besides nitrogen gas and oxygen gas, there are other elements that covalently bond to themselves.
These are referred to as diatomic elements. These diatomic elements are hydrogen, nitrogen,
oxygen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine. Create diatomic hydrogen and bromine. Underneath
the structural formula in your table, name the shape.
5. Electron clouds can also be a shape called trigonal planar. Boron trifluoride (BF3) and nitrogen
dioxide (NO2) are examples of these electron cloud geometries. Create a model for each and fill out
the information in the table. Underneath the structural formula, write what you think the names of the
molecular geometries are (hint, what molecule shape does NO2 remind you of from earlier in the
lab?).
6. The compound urea has the molecular formula CO(NH2)2. Carbon is the central atom in this
molecule. Using this information, create a model of urea and fill out the columns for this molecule.
Underneath the structural formula, name the geometries you see within the molecule.

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A N A L Y Z I N G

RE ADING • QUESTIONS

Reading: Molecules (Nano)

There is no particular reading, unless something extra is assigned on Moodle.

Questions: Molecules (Nano)

1. Draw the following molecules’ electron dot structures and describe their molecular geometries.
a. Cl2
b. CH2Cl2
2. Seltzer water is a mixture of aqueous carbon dioxide, CO2(aq), and aqueous sodium chloride, NaCl(aq).
Draw this at the nanoscale.

C R I T I C A L L Y T H I N K I N G

CT ME AN?

What does the activity mean?

Chemistry explains the macroscopic phenomenon (what you observe) with and explanation of what
happens at the nanoscopic level (atoms and molecules) using symbolic structures as a way to
communicate. Explain the meaning of this activity by completing the MNS table.
MACRO NANO SYMBOLIC
Define For nano, draw one of each of the following common Write the formulae
polyatomic ions polyatomic ions from macro in a solution with water. You will for each of the
using terms need to do some research. Use this website: polyatomic ions
from the http://www.kentchemistry.com/links/bonding/lewisdotstruct.htm listed in nano.
introduction of
For each ion, click on “VSPER” and click through by clicking Write how each of
this activity.
“Continue” or “Skip” to see pictures. Do not worry about most the polyatomic
of the reading, especially terms like steric number. Pay ions in nano forms
attention to the Lewis dot structures and most importantly, a compound with
molecular geometries. magnesium.
Include states of
• Nitrate matter in solution.
• Sulfate
• Carbonate
• Ammonium
• Acetate (This one is complicated – do your best!)