Molecular Shapes Computer Lab
Go to:
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations
1. Click on “chemistry”
2. Click on “general chemistry”
3. Double click on “molecule shapes”
4. Click on “run now”
5. Click box in bottom left (Name: molecule geometry, electron geometry)
6. Click box in upper right (Options show bond angles)
7. Fill in Data Table 1 as you complete the following steps – include a sketch of each molecule. Leave
example and difference blank for now.
A) fill in first row of table
B) add another single bond by clicking on the top picture
C) add another single bond
D) remove, by clicking the red “X” twice, the two single bonds you just added and
add a double bond
E) add another double bond
F) remove the double bonds you just added and add a lone pair (also known as an unshared pair)
G) add another lone pair
H) remove one of the lone pairs you just added and replace it with a single bond
8. Click on tab “Real Molecules” and “molecule geometry, electron geometry, show lone pairs,
and bond angles”
I. Click to look at the molecules and fill in an example for A-H.
(Note:Not all of the molecules fit our examples.)
II. Compare “Real” to “Model” and note any difference
III. Place the curser on the molecule and rotate it to see the shape.
IV. Close the simulation and go back to the general chemistry page
9. Click on “Build a Molecule” and run now
10. Click bottom right to turn sound OFF
11. Build the molecules that each kit (there are 3) will allow.
NOTE you can refill your kit or go to the next kit to finish the collection!!
12. When you complete a collection, click on “next collection”.
Complete at least 5 collections.
13. Click on tab “Larger Molecules”. There are 7 kits available. Make molecules until you have completed
the data table with all of the molecule geometries specified on Data Table 2. Do not use any examples
from Data Table 1
Name _________________________________Date ____________ Period ________
Molecular Shapes Computer Lab - Data Table 1
Molecule
Geometry
Name
Electron
Geometry
Name
Bond
Angle
Molecule Sketch
Example:
formula and
name
Difference
between real
& model
A)
B)
C)
D)
methanethione
N/A
CH2S
E)
F)
G)
H)
N/A
N/A
Build a Molecule - Data Table 2
Molecule Name and
Formula
Molecule Geometry
Electron Geometry
linear
linear
trigonal planar
bent
trigonal planar
bent
tetrahedral
tetrahedral
trigonal pyramidal
Bond Angle
Molecule Sketch