Shapes of Molecules
Molecular shape depends on the number of bonding pairs and lone pairs around a central atom. These pages separate the key geometries so that students can revise electron-pair repulsion, bond angles and how lone pairs change the final shape.
The section also covers ionic and metallic bonding, simple molecular and giant lattices, and intermolecular forces with hydrogen bonding and the anomalous properties of water.
Revision Notes
11 revision notes, in the order the specification teaches them.
Linear
Revise linear molecules with two bonding regions around the central atom and a bond angle of 180°.
Start revising
Trigonal Planar
Learn trigonal planar geometry, where three bonding regions arrange at 120° around the central atom.
Start revising
Tetrahedral
Revise tetrahedral molecules with four bonding pairs and bond angles of about 109.5°.
Start revising
Trigonal Pyramidal
Understand how one lone pair changes a tetrahedral electron-pair arrangement into a trigonal pyramidal shape.
Start revising
Bent
Learn how lone pairs compress bond angles and produce bent or V-shaped molecules such as H₂O.
Start revising
Trigonal Bipyramidal
Revise five-region electron-pair geometry with axial and equatorial positions.
Start revising
Octahedral
Learn octahedral geometry, where six bonding regions arrange at 90° around the central atom.
Start revising
Square Planar
Revise square planar shapes formed from octahedral electron-pair arrangements with two opposite lone pairs.
Start revising
Square Pyramidal
Understand square pyramidal molecules and how one lone pair affects an octahedral arrangement.
Start revising
Distorted T
Learn distorted T-shaped molecules where lone pairs alter the arrangement of bonding pairs around the central atom.
Start revising
SeeSaw
Revise seesaw shapes formed from trigonal bipyramidal electron-pair arrangements with one lone pair.
Start revisingSummary Map
Download, print and revise the key facts of this topic at a glance.
Summary map
Download, print and revise the key facts of this topic at a glance.
Shapes of Molecules Map
OCR A Level Chemistry A · 2.2.2 Bonding and structure · Shapes of molecules
The whole section on one A4 page: electron-pair repulsion, lone pairs, five and six pairs, related species and polar molecules.
© 2026 Online Learning System. For personal study: printing is allowed; editing, copying and redistribution are not.
Virtual Lessons
Recorded video lessons that teach the topic step by step.
The Virtual Lessons for Shapes of Molecules are being recorded.
MCQ Bank
Multiple-choice papers on this topic, marked the moment you submit.
The MCQ papers for Shapes of Molecules are being written.
SAQ Bank
Written, drawn and worked exam practice on this topic.
The exam practice papers for Shapes of Molecules are being written.
Revision Game
Match reagents to products, with your board's reagents and conditions.
The revision game for Shapes of Molecules is being built.
Study Cards
Pick a deck, then turn each card to check what you remember.
Specification
Every specification point in this topic, in the exam board's own words. Rate how confident you are with each one.
Self-assessment · 9 points
Sign in to rate how confident you feel about each point. Your ratings are saved to your account, follow you to any device, and appear beside your KASP analytics, kept apart from your marks.
2.2.2
- g i
the shapes of molecules and ions with up to six electron pairs (including lone pairs) surrounding the central atom as predicted by electron pair repulsion
Revise - g ii
the bond angles in molecules and ions with up to six electron pairs (including lone pairs) surrounding the central atom as predicted by electron pair repulsion
Revise
Keep this note — free
Save your progress across every OCR topic. A free account remembers which topics you have covered, saves your question scores, and syncs across your phone and laptop.
- Track every topic you have finished
- Keep your practice-question scores
- No payment, no card, free forever
Already registered? Log in