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Organic Chemistry

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Shapes of simple molecules

Shapes of molecules

Molecules are the smallest constituent of any substances. They have some form of shapes. Let's study the different shapes of the molecule.

  1. Linear Molecules

The molecules which align themselves in a straight line with a bond angle of 180 degree due to mutual repulsion about the electrons present in the molecule are called linear molecules.

Examples: H2, O2, CO2, Cl2, etc.

  1. Non-Linear Molecules

The molecules which do not align themselves in a straight line and have a variable bond angle between the atoms due to variation of repulsion about the electrons present in the molecule are called non-linear molecules.

Example: NH3(bond angle 107 degrees), H2O ( bond angle 104.5 degrees), etc.

The nonlinear molecules include the triangular planar, pyramidal or bent shape of the molecule

  1. Tetrahedral Molecule

The element that undergoes Tetravalency (E.g., Silicon, Carbon) can form tetrahedral shape when they are covalently bonded with atoms of the same element. In three dimensions, the angle between the central atom and other atoms is 109.5 degrees.

Example: CH4, CCl4, SiH4, etc.\

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