Molecular geometry challenge activity
YOUR GROUP NUMBER: _______
Task: Create molecular representations of EACH of the following geometries:
Linear
Trigonal Planar
Trigonal Bipyramidal
Octahedral
Bent
Tetrahedral
Trigonal Pyramidal
Sawhorse (aka “see-saw”) T-Shaped
Square pyramidal
Angular (bent, from a tetrahedral parent structure)
Linear (from a trigonal bipyramidal parent structure)
Square Planar
Rules:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
DO NOT EAT ANY OF THE MARSHMELLOWS IN THE LAB AREA! ANYONE CAUGHT EATING “LAB MARSHMELLOWS” WILL
RECEIVE A ZERO AN D BE KICKED OUT OF LABS FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR
You may use any of the following atoms: H, B, C, N, O, F, Si, P, S, Cl, Ge, As, Se, Br, Kr, Sb, Te, I, Xe. Please try your best to
color-code each molecule.
All atoms within a molecule should be labeled with a sharpie or marker. Lone pairs of electrons should be shown on all
atoms with two single dots that are easily visible to those grading you
For full points, you have to demonstrate the correct geometry, AND the structure must correctly align with the molecule
and Lewis Structure of the molecule
You may sketch your Lewis Structures on a sheet of scratch paper, but be sure you NEATLY copy them into the table below,
which will serve as the answer key that I (and other groups) grade you on.
Once all groups are done, you will rotate to each station and grade the other groups for correctness (on back of this sheet).
Each group will grade TWO OTHER GROUPS, and they verify each answer by showing the Lewis Structure.
BELOW: DRAW and GIVE THE CHEMICAL FORMULA for each model molecule you’ve created
LINEAR
TRIG PLANAR
BENT
TETRAHEDRAL
TRIG PYRAMIDAL
ANGULAR
TRIG BIPYRAMIDAL
SAWHORSE (SEE-SAW)
T-SHAPED
LINEAR (parent = BIPYR)
OCTAHEDRAL
SQUARE PYRAMIDAL
SQUARE PLANAR
Grading Other Groups: Group # ________
LINEAR
TRIG PLANAR
BENT
TETRAHEDRAL
Correct? Y / N
TRIG PYRAMIDAL
Correct? Y / N
ANGULAR
Correct? Y / N
TRIG BIPYRAMIDAL
Correct? Y / N
SAWHORSE (SEE-SAW)
Correct? Y / N
T-SHAPED
Correct? Y / N
LINEAR (parent = BIPYR)
Correct? Y / N
OCTAHEDRAL
Correct? Y / N
SQUARE PYRAMIDAL
Correct? Y / N
SQUARE PLANAR
Correct? Y / N
Correct? Y / N
Correct? Y / N
Correct? Y / N
Grading Other Groups: Group # ________
LINEAR
TRIG PLANAR
BENT
TETRAHEDRAL
Correct? Y / N
TRIG PYRAMIDAL
Correct? Y / N
ANGULAR
Correct? Y / N
TRIG BIPYRAMIDAL
Correct? Y / N
SAWHORSE (SEE-SAW)
Correct? Y / N
T-SHAPED
Correct? Y / N
LINEAR (parent = BIPYR)
Correct? Y / N
OCTAHEDRAL
Correct? Y / N
SQUARE PYRAMIDAL
Correct? Y / N
SQUARE PLANAR
Correct? Y / N
Correct? Y / N
Correct? Y / N
Correct? Y / N