Molecular Geometry: Rules, Examples, and Practice

In this video we’ll use VSPRE Theory to practice the rules for identifying the major molecular geometries, including bond angles. Understanding the shape of molecules is a key part of understanding their polarity and reactivity.
Molecular Shapes done with PhET's free online website:
phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/m...
We’ll start with the Lewis Structure for each molecule and then go over each of the following molecular geometries providing, models and visualizations, examples, and practice (with answers).
- Linear
- Bent (90 and 120-degree bond angles)
- Trigonal Planer
- Trigonal Pyramidal
- Tetrahedral
- Trigonal Bipyramidal
- Octahedral
The role of lone pairs (unbonded electron pairs) and their VSEPR influence on molecule shape will also be addressed in the video.
Molecular Shapes done with PhET's free online website:
phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/m...
Get more chemistry help at: www.Breslyn.org.
Drawing/writing done in InkScape. Screen capture done with Camtasia Studio 4.0. Done on a Dell Dimension laptop computer with a Wacom digital tablet (Bamboo).

[@olgabulgakova5912]

Unbelievable! The first professor who explains chemistry in a human language!

[@wbreslyn]

I try my best!

[@halakbatak8225]

@@wbreslyn thank you so much sir i understand much more by watching this video

[@peterwilly9240]

@@wbreslyn you have no idea how great you are I am so thankful you are a person please keep up the great work. Carrying me in chemistry starting from today.

[@jaydelefebvere2430]

In 11 minutes this video managed to teach me a concept that I've struggled with all semester. 14 weeks of Chemistry class, and never once has my professor uttered the phrase "steric number". The explanation of that once concept alone was literally the missing puzzle piece that helped me figure out why I was struggling with molecular geometry. And learning how to do that led to the realization of why I was struggling with Lewis structures on top of it. My professor "doesn't believe in reviews" so we go over things once in class, and that's it. Your videos are probably the only reason I'm confident that I won't fail my final exam this week. Thank you so much Dr. B!!

[@The.More.Guyy.]

What are you studying? And what year

[@yasminforouzesh8518]

Been struggling for 5 hours and by this video just understood the whole concept in 10 min. THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@karinamatos4253]

Best video in the whole world. Those graphics and superb explanation.

[@wbreslyn]

Thanks, the graphics are generated from phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/molecule-shapes . --- Dr. B

[@redkarryn]

Finding this video was my 6th attempt to understand from my lecture and book...and now I get it! Thank you!!!

[@wbreslyn]

Thanks, I spent a lot of time on this one and am glad to here it is helpful! --- Dr. B

[@deb000rah]

Same.

[@Cobi.]

the fluid model made all the difference for me being able to visualize it

[@wbreslyn]

Yeah, I really find those help me understand the chemistry. This is the app I used: phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/molecule-shapes/latest/molecule-shapes_en.html --- Dr. B

[@thatboyss5576]

This was amazing. You did a great job explaining this. My textbook and lectures were a bit overwhelming but actually being able to see how these atoms interact with each other truly makes me feel 10x better on this subject. It just makes me enjoy chemistry so much more. I am definitely going to spread this video as well as the simulator to my class cause this was truly immaculate work.

[@wbreslyn]

Thank you for the kind words! I agree the visualizations make a huge difference in how we think about the atomic interactions. Here's the app I used in the video: phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/molecule-shapes/latest/molecule-shapes_en.html .

[@bleederhead2098]

Visualizations paired with explanations like this have changed my understanding of chemistry forever. Thank you.

[@wbreslyn]

Me too!

[@sirbungisngis0110]

Hi sir. What website or app did you use in the visualization of atoms?

[@NebulaJohnny]

Hey Dr. B, I just wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for the insightful video you shared on the Vesper theory and its geometrical aspects. Your explanation was incredibly clear and thorough, making it much easier for me to grasp the concept. Thank you so much for taking the time to create such valuable content. I truly appreciate it!

[@piAustin]

One of the best chemistry channels. Keep it up!

[@tourakaianimation7766]

Amazing work!!! This is the smoothest and most easy to understand explanation of molecular geometry ever!!! Thank you for making confusing chemistry topics easy to comprehend.

[@Curl_ly]

It takes a level of genius to explain simply

[@kaansaroz8086]

much more better and understandable than my lectures.

[@wbreslyn]

Glad I could help!

[@nengimotejaphet2565]

For the very first time someone did it better than organic chemistry tutor for me! Amazing! Thank you sire!🙌🏽

[@wbreslyn]

Sweet, that has been one of my personal goals for a long time!

[@antgera5947]

Your work is truly unappreciated. I really thank you for helping me and many other people. Thanks Professor!

[@meenakshigupta5731]

The BEST video on KZbin....Huge Thanks for making this concept easy to understand with those amazing graphics and explanations......Once again Thanks a lot....☺️.....

[@wbreslyn]

No problem, glad I could help with VSEPR ! It's a very useful theory and helps explain a lot of chemical interactions. --- Dr. B

[@guixninja825]

Thank you so much! Due to the pandemic my college is closed so I am kinda on my own when it comes to studying. Your videos have helped my alot with the exercises in "Chemical Principles" by Atkins.

[@wbreslyn]

That's a good way to do it, combine videos online with a textbook. Chemistry is difficult even in the best of times and the pandemic makes it tougher. All the best! --- Dr. B

[@guixninja825]

@@wbreslyn Totally! Wish you the best too

[@justfornow9652]

When he explained how the lone pairs "pushes it down", that is what really made it click for me. I was able to imagine how the shape would look.

[@yesmynguettouche]

THANK YOU A LOT !!!! My teacher legit didn't know how to teach us this, your way of teaching facialated this lesson a lot!

[@wbreslyn]

Glad I could help, this is one of my favorite videos I've done! --- Dr. B

[@lightcapmath2777]

Excellent explanation! with chart and visual clarity. You rock! David

[@kimtaeliha6729]

I am soooooo thankful to find this channel, i understand so much better. thank you so much doctor wayne breslyn you are the best!

[@joliefemrite4851]

This video was amazing! I had a general grasp of the concept from reading the textbook and my notes along with the lectures from my professor, but I was still unable to keep them straight. This video broke the shapes down in a such a manner and explained them thoroughly enough--but not too deeply--so that I was able to understand them.

[@wbreslyn]

Excellent, that is great to hear!

[@wacktus8507]

Great video encompassing moleculaar geometry. was concise and simple, very hard to find stuff like this on KZbin. You saved me for my midterm in 4 hrs

[@somrikboseakatrenquenz...8040]

Such a good video explained all my doubts.Studying for JEE rn.Helped a lot!

[@anjubhasin8189]

I am indian and i generally study from Indian teacher but after i found u i really got impressed

[@wbreslyn]

Thank you!

[@jiyasaleman676]

Literally amazing. Watched many videos but nothing beats this

[@wbreslyn]

Hey thanks! And I just did a video guide for this topic: breslyn.org/guides/Bonding/Bonding-Molecular-Geometry.pdf

[@chriskz911]

Who else is here because your were so bored in class & now you regret it?

[@ismailmuhammedabdulle3172]

Mee lol

[@msekar8432]

me🤣🤣

[@carolvolpe]

Hahahahahahahahahaha me!

[@nathanburt4907]

Studying for the MCAT currently. This was super helpful! Thank you!

[@wbreslyn]

All the best on the MCATs!

[@markrafaelcapagalan6273]

thanks a lot doctor B. with this I can finally understand what my teacher is discussing about

[@mackenzielu8733]

This was so helpful. it helped me understand something I had no clue how to do. Thanks!

[@Sneha-fl8kf]

Thankyou for sharing sir! I would like to make a humble suggestion, you should also put one slide of 1-2 seconds displaying the solutions to the practice questions so that we can pause and check ours. That way we won't have to look up the internet for verifying our answers- that being a time-consuming task and it would therefore, enhance our confidence.

[@user-ni3sc7kr4d]

Just amazing. Really explains molecular geometry thoroughly. Thanks a lot, Dr. B

[@wbreslyn]

Anytime!

[@MuhammadBilal-fp2gq]

Thank you Doctor B! You are amazing ♥️

[@krishnaswamy6684]

Prof.Breslyn, YOU ARE THE BEST! You explain everything so well🥇🥇🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@phengsarah7569]

This is a great video I've ever met. Than you Professor for this perfect video. waiting for more videos to come. Blessing

[@blissfulfragrance2511]

감사합니다! Thank you! 🙏

[@Yoennern]

Thanks for explaining. This was straightforward to follow, and it helps alot. Thank you.

[@rahertzler]

Amazing! Thank you for the great explanations and visuals!

[@ivykateescalante6413]

This channel deserves more subscribers

[@muradmohamed4047]

I cant stress how much this video helped me. Thank you

[@wbreslyn]

Glad it helped!

[@blogginmomma]

Best video on molecular geometry. Thank you so much!

[@wbreslyn]

I owe a lot to the visualization software at phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/molecule-shapes/latest/molecule-shapes_en.html --- Dr. B

[@tannercrane3151]

Great video! Thanks for your help on my journey of learning chemistry.

[@wbreslyn]

Thanks, glad I could help and all the best on your journey. I'm still on my own chemistry journey and making these videos helps clarify and distill my thinking ... --- Dr. B

[@curtpiazza1688]

Great teaching style!

[@emmanueltegegn1566]

thanks so much! you make the chemistry more interesting. :)

[@TuDamnFilthy]

Great video. It helps me to prepare for my proficiency test. Thanks a lot!

[@wbreslyn]

All the best on your test! --- Dr. B

[@kiramcarthur6918]

Profuse thanks for clarifying this topic!

[@wbreslyn]

No problem, glad I could help! --- Dr. B

[@kurrasundarraju3612]

Excellent explanation easy to understand thanks for video

[@phoebep123]

Thank you so much dr b!!! For explaining everything in a way I can understand. You are the best. !

[@wbreslyn]

Happy to help!

[@taslimaahmed7137]

Very helpful, thank you so much!

[@wbreslyn]

No problem! --- Dr. B

[@vijay-jw8gq]

Thank you so much! Your explanation finally helped me understand this topic, much appreciated

[@wbreslyn]

Anytime!

[@glenn7229]

You explained it better in 11 minutes than my teacher in 1 year of teaching this

[@shadmansakib2857]

The explanations were amazing. Thank you so much🖤

[@wbreslyn]

You're so welcome!

[@yousuf1034]

This was amazing, very nicely explained. Thank you.

[@wbreslyn]

You're very welcome!

[@jeffthegamerboy3476]

Wow, thats such a neat explanation. I'm glad I came across this video.

[@wbreslyn]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Rebeccaoseni89]

life saver! youre awesome sir ty :)

[@wbreslyn]

You're welcome. This is one of my favorite videos! --- Dr. B

[@seharesaba6448]

1 day before test… looks like I’ve known it for century❤

[@user-ek8ud8uz1x]

Ive been trying to understand this topic our tutor skipped the explanations saying it would waste our time (he's still the best though) but this video is explicit

[@deanna1466]

Mind blown! This is amazing!!thank you so much!!

[@wbreslyn]

You are most welcome! --- Dr. B

[@sngov2694]

Thank you so much! So grateful for this video. I actually get it now.

[@wbreslyn]

Glad it helped!

[@salmannadeem2827]

Thank you for this video keep going!

[@kriyaramjuttan9499]

This is incredible, thank you.

[@wbreslyn]

Glad you like it!

[@laxamostudios6127]

The lone pairs are determined by the Central atom, so it doesn't matter if their are lone pairs with the attached atom if their aren't any in the central atom than, it doesn't apply that their are lone pairs therefore the geomatrical shape changes

[@dreamerz5107]

This video made me understand that impossible topic....... Superb and thank you very much

[@wbreslyn]

You are most welcome!

[@thekimberlypointproject1497]

Thank you Dr. Breslyn!!!

[@wbreslyn]

Any time!

[@callumbrasher8048]

Thank You for this video this clarified a few things and was a good revision of the things I've already learned in my chemistry class for school I appreciated it.

[@wbreslyn]

Thanks, glad I could help with VSEPR! --- Dr. B

[@carlgunther1758]

Very helpful! Great graphics and very clear explanation.

[@wbreslyn]

Thanks, Carl. I used the PhET website for the graphics. It really gets the idea across of how the atoms repel each other to give the molecule i's geometry. Now I need to do the VSEPR for the higher steric numbers... --- Dr. B

[@timothysantama4102]

That is great explanation prof!! Btw what is the software you use to demonstrate all of this series? I want to try too... if it is available for free.

[@yanjiaart]

Thank you so much! I understand it now :D

[@wbreslyn]

Excellent, great to hear! --- Dr. B

[@HannahS65]

Hi! I have a test on this, lewis structure, and bonds tomorrow. Do you have any tips on how I can study in addition to watching videos? I'm confused on how to determine the shape, and electron dots.

[@peterantonetti730]

always nice refresher, hope your doing well Dr. B

[@wbreslyn]

Hey Peter! So good to hear from you! All is well here, hope you are still running fast. 🏃‍♂️

[@thomasyeung5566]

Thank you !!!!!! You are helping for my university exam

[@wbreslyn]

Happy to help!

[@Iman_Fatima]

I was finding a video which could explain it like u did.... Thanks 👍

[@wbreslyn]

You are welcome 😊

[@NAVEENRAJPALANISAMY-wq1bb]

Very nice and very clearly explain🎉🎉

[@nicolezhang4644]

Thanks, Dr.B! 🥳

[@wbreslyn]

No problem! --- Dr. B

[@sanjuparajuli7636]

Such a great explaining talent 🙂

[@wbreslyn]

Thank you! 😃

[@savannahcarrizales271]

This actually helped. Like a ton I was so lost.

[@wbreslyn]

Yeah, the simulations on the PhET website helped me a lot with this video. phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/molecule-shapes/latest/molecule-shapes_en.html Glad I could help you with VSEPR! ---- Dr. B

[@deb000rah]

This was amazing!

[@wbreslyn]

Thanks, I'm rather proud of this video! --- Dr. B

[@alimukhtar4759]

This was amazing👍 Thanks professor

[@wbreslyn]

Anytime!

[@monamohamed4200]

Thank you!

[@dulyanawanigasooriya2612]

Thanks a lot. It's a great help.

[@wbreslyn]

Glad it helped!

[@jdollaz6827]

thank you so much I wish my teacher made it this simple

[@wbreslyn]

Glad I could help with VSEPR! --- Dr. B

[@marigeo24]

@5:00 why is the N in nitrite shown with 1 whole lone pair (2 electrons in total)? If N has 5 valence electrons and 1 O is taking 2 from a double bond, then the other O should take 2, leaving N with 1 single valence electron. Especially since it has a -1 charge as a polyatomic ion, therefor giving it "1 lone pair" makes it neutralized, thus not having a -1 charge. Right? I find lewis structures on various websites showing both your and this other lewis structure for nitrite. But my confusion is with the way many other lewis diagrams are shown. Which one is correct, and why?

[@oleksandrachernysh7735]

I admire your video ^-^

[@fleexgaming7805]

Thanks made my online learning good

[@wbreslyn]

Great to hear!

[@User4o3p93ghvjkaehvji]

So cute 😊 thank you for clearing visualization confusion

[@wbreslyn]

You're welcome 😊

[@thuitamwangi5401]

great one meehn

[@MTRfundamentalist]

3:45 HNO2 is the proper oh no! Just randomly rearrange the letters and you get OHNO. Tbh the structure is actually H-O-N=O.

[@altonlg24]

I have a question about double bonds and BF3. 2:58 is where it starts. The lewis structure shows 2 electrons shared between the B and the 3 Fs, but the VSEPR only showed 1 connection. Should it have showed 2 bonds or do I not understand what a double bond is. Thanks for any clarification.

[@damarisdeng3571]

One bond consists of two electrons. Or we can say, each atom shares an electron(to get two electrons) with another, that forms a bond.

[@carolvolpe]

Amazing this explanation!

[@wbreslyn]

Glad it was helpful!

[@carolvolpe]

@@wbreslyn absolutely! Thanks Dr B!

[@mohamedaminehattay7894]

Thank you very Much you helped me so Much (i am from Tunisia and i am a university student) n'est Channel keep it UP)

[@wbreslyn]

Happy to help!

[@Ido84ba]

4:47 I just died lmao

[@kaivanshah4304]

which software or online did you used to draw the structure

[@wbreslyn]

Here you go ... phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/molecule-shapes/latest/molecule-shapes_en.html It is very powerful for visualizing VSEPR. --- Dr. B

[@luisnavarro5]

you sound like kevin conroy lol... you're helping me so much i just discovered you today

[@wbreslyn]

Interesting, no one has said that before. Often I'll get Jerry Seinfeld.

[@user-yz5gf2jx9d]

Maybe the best chemistry lecture in the world

[@wbreslyn]

Thanks for the kind words! --- Dr. B

[@jostandley9856]

am a big fan also of the phet graphics - only recently found projector mode for white background - great for screen shots

[@wbreslyn]

Yeah, I really like phet - the visualizations are solid and being able to manipulate molecules in 3D is huge for student understanding. --- Dr.B

[@harishthakre2718]

I could understand to very easily.ur as greater in whole universe .as something like great

[@wbreslyn]

That is great to hear!

[@andydanny3426]

very helpfull thank you so much

[@wbreslyn]

No problem, glad I could help with VSEPR! --- Dr. B

[@edgarfranco367]

You’re hilarious. I love your oh-no! Molecule 😂😂😂

[@nhialgatkuothrut5751]

I love that video ❤❤❤❤

[@vinodojha5032]

Best video ever..

[@wbreslyn]

Thanks! --- Dr. B