MOLECULAR SHAPES,

POLARITY, AND
INTERMOLECULAR
FORCES
Pages 96-99

REVIEW
Draw the Lewis Structures for:
Carbon tetrachloride
Carbon dioxide
Water (H2O)

LEWIS STRUCTURES

MOLECULES CAN HAVE

DIFFERENT SHAPES
This is determined by the VSEPR theory
VSEPR = valence shell electron pair repulsion

WHAT IS THE VSEPR

THEORY?
The VSEPR Theory is used to predict the shapes of
molecules based on the repulsion of the bonding
and non-bonding electrons in the molecule.
The shape is determined by the number of
bonding and non-bonding electrons in the
molecule.
In order to determine the shape, the Lewis
diagram must be drawn first.
When determining the shape of a molecule with
multiple bonds, treat the multiple bonds as if they
were single bonds (i.e. one bonding pair)

DIFFER
ENT
SHAPE
S

EACH SHAPE HAS

DIFFERENT BOND
ANGLES

PRACTICE DETERMINING
MOLECULAR SHAPES

Determine the electron pair geometry and

molecular geometry of the following molecules:

BF3
NH3
PCl5
CH4
SF6

PRACTICE

POLARITY OF MOLECULES
By knowing a molecules shape and if it

has a dipole, we can determine the

polarity of a molecule.
Dipole: in a polar covalent bond, when one
atom is more electronegative than the
other and holds onto the electrons more
Leads to partial charges

PRACTICE FINDING DIPOLES

CH3Cl
CH4
CBr4
H2O
Hint: draw the lewis structure first, then use the

electronegativity chart to determine if there is a

dipole

POLARITY ON A MOLECULE
We indicate polarity (the dipole) with an arrow:
One end has a +, that is the partial positive end
One end has the arrow head, that is the partial

negative end
Example:

Now go back and add

your dipoles to the lewis
structures from the
previous slide.

POLARITY ON A MOLECULE
To find polarity on the entire molecule:
Draw the Lewis structure
Determine the molecular shape
Find the dipoles for each bond (difference in

electronegativity)
If the molecule has dipoles and is asymmetrical
polar
Is the molecule has dipoles and is symmetrical
nonpolar

PRACTICE FINDING
POLARITY OF A MOLECULE
HF
H2O
CH2Cl2
PCl3
CO2

INTERMOLECUL
AR FORCES
p. 102-103

MOLECULES CAN INTERACT

WITH EACH OTHER
Intermolecular forces- forces of attraction and

repulsion between molecules that hold molecules,

ions, and atoms together.
It is much weaker than
chemical bonds

STRENGTH OF
INTERMOLECULAR FORCES
STRONGEST
Covalent Bonds (for reference)
Ion-ion
Hydrogen Bonding
Dipole-Dipole Interactions
London Dispersion Forces
WEAKEST

LONDON DISPERSION
FORCES/VAN DER WAALS
oAttraction due to the constant

motion of electrons
oWill cause temporary
concentration of charge on
one side of an atom/molecule
oExist between ALL molecules

DIPOLE-DIPOLE
INTERACTIONS
Attraction between polar molecules
The partial positive end of one molecule is

attracted to the partial negative end of another

molecule.

HYDROGEN BONDING
oStronger type of dipole-dipole interaction
oOccurs only between molecules with lone pairs

on center atom AND hydrogen bonded to F, O, or

N
oHydrogen bonding is FON!

INTERMOLECULAR FORCES
Is the molecule
polar?
Yes

No

Does the molecule

have lone pairs on
the center atom,
with H bonded to F,
O, or N?
Ye
s
London Dispersion Forces
Dipole-dipole
Hydrogen bonding

London Dispersion
Forces

No

London Dispersion
Forces
Dipole-dipole

PRACTICE WITH
INTERMOLECULAR FORCES

WHY ARE INTERMOLECULAR

FORCES IMPORTANT?
Stronger intermolecular forces will lead to the

following properties:
Higher boiling points
Higher melting points

This is because the molecules are being held

together more tightly more difficult to break

molecules apart