Shapes of
Molecules and
Ions
This section covers electron pair repulsion theory and the shapes of simple molecules and ions. It focuses on bonding pairs and lone pairs as charge clouds, how electron pairs arrange themselves to minimise repulsion, and how lone pairs affect bond angles.
Revision Notes
11 revision notes, in the order the specification teaches them.
Linear
Two electron pairs arranged in a straight line around the central atom.
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Trigonal Planar
Three bonding regions arranged in one plane with equal repulsion.
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Tetrahedral
Four bonding pairs arranged as far apart as possible in three dimensions.
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Trigonal Pyramidal
Three bonding pairs and one lone pair give a pyramidal molecular shape.
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Bent
Two bonding pairs and two lone pairs give a non-linear shape.
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Trigonal Bipyramidal
Five electron pairs arranged with axial and equatorial positions.
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Octahedral
Six bonding pairs arranged symmetrically around the central atom.
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Square Planar
Four bonding pairs arranged in one plane with two lone pairs opposite each other.
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Square Pyramidal
Five bonding pairs and one lone pair give a square-based pyramid.
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Distorted T
Three bonding pairs and two lone pairs give a T-shaped arrangement.
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SeeSaw
Four bonding pairs and one lone pair give a seesaw shape.
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Shapes of Molecules and Ions Map
AQA A-level Chemistry · 3.1.3 Bonding · Shapes of molecules and ions
The whole section on one A4 page: electron-pair repulsion, lone pairs, five and six pairs, related species and polar molecules.
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3.1.3.5
- i
understand that bonding pairs and lone pairs of electrons act as charge clouds that repel each other
Revise - ii
understand that pairs of electrons in the outer shell arrange themselves as far apart as possible to minimise repulsion
Revise - iv a
explain the shapes of simple molecules and ions with up to six electron pairs surrounding the central atom
Revise - iv b
explain the bond angles in simple molecules and ions with up to six electron pairs surrounding the central atom
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