Molecule shapes – build bonds and lone pairs, measure bond angles (VSEPR)
ChemistryChemical BondingAges 15–16
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Sign in to playA 3D model in which students add single, double and triple bonds and lone pairs to a central atom, then watch the electron domains push each other as far apart as possible. Drag an atom somewhere else and let go to see it return; read the bond angles, the molecular geometry and the electron geometry. The Real molecules screen compares 13 molecules (H₂O, CO₂, SO₂, NH₃, CH₄, SF₆…) as measured and as predicted by the model. Based on the "Molecule Shapes" simulation by PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado Boulder (CC BY 4.0); rewritten.
Lesson: Covalent bonding
How to use
Parameters you can change
- Screen Model (build your own), Real molecules
- Initial single bonds 0–6
- Initial double bonds 0–6
- Initial triple bonds 0–6
- Initial lone pairs 0–6
- Real molecule H₂O, CO₂, SO₂, XeF₂, BF₃, ClF₃, NH₃, CH₄, SF₄, XeF₄, BrF₅, PCl₅, SF₆
- Real molecule shown as Real, Model
- Show lone pairs
- Show bond angles
- Show molecular geometry name
- Show electron geometry name
