Teaching with Atomsmith > Curriculum > Molecular Structure - VSEPR
Curriculum Unit: Molecular Structure - VSEPR Click to view the Screencast (may take a moment to load) Unit Overview: In this Unit, students use The Atomsmith® Classroom and the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion model (VSEPR) to predict the 3D arrangement of atoms around a nonmetallic central atom. The VSEPR model is based on the premise that molecular geometry can be predicted by minimizing the repulsion between atoms’ electron pairs (maximizing the distance between them). Understanding the simple rules of VSEPR allows students to understand the formation and construction of larger, much more complicated molecules. |
 When 3 electron pair orbitals repel each other, the resulting shape is called trigonal planar. (Click to Enlarge) |
| 0. | 3D Molecular Building Blocks | 4-8. | Practice with 2-6 Electron Pairs |
| 1. | Electron Pair Geometry | 9. | Build Your Own 3D Molecules |
| 2. | Molecular Geometry and the AXE Method | 10. | Why Two Kinds of Geometries? |
| 3. | The Grand Table of Molecular Geometries | 11. | Just For Fun: Molecular Structure Art |
Level: High School - General through AP Chemistry / College - Introductory Chemistry
Standards: Science as Inquiry, Physical Science, Science and Technology
Previous Unit: Molecular Structure - Chemical Bonding | Next Unit: Phases of Matter - Gases
