Polarity and Molecular Shape

By doing this blog, we are attempting to figure out the most probable structure for each given molecule. Prior to this lab, we had been taught about Lewis Structures and how to figure out each one for any given molecule. Since the ball/stick model of a molecule is basically the same as the Lewis Structure, it was quite easy to figure out the most probable shape of each molecular formula.

Hypothesis:

I hypothesize that the ball/stick model of a given molecule will resemble, if not replicate, the Lewis Structure of that same molecule.

Materials:

Ball & Stick model kit including:

• 20 Rigid Green tubes-Covalent bonds
• 6 Flexible White Tubing
• Various Colored Balls
• 4 red two prong-Oxygen
• 12 white one prong-Hydrogen
• 6 green one prong-Halogens
• 6 black 4 prong-Carbon atoms (can also be nitrogen or silicon)
• 1 pink 5 prong-Iodine/Selenium
• 1 gray 6 prong-Sulfur
• 1 blue 3 prong-Boron

Safety Procedure?:
Although we are not working with hazardous materials in this lab, you must still be aware of the balls and sticks so this lab does not result in the injuring of your eye or other such sensitive areas.

Procedure:
In this experiment, we created a Lewis Structure for each of the molecular formulas provided to us by our instructor prior to beginning the lab. For each Lewis Structure that we made, we had to construct a ball and stick model representing the 3-D structure of the given molecules. Also, according to the repelling groups and the unbonded pairs, we had to decide what the actual molecular shape was. Following this, we had to decipher the bonding angle and whether or not the molecule was polar.

Results:
As you can see in the adjacent images, the Lewis Structure of H2O (right) is represented by the ball and stick model (left). For the remaining molecules we did basically the same thing, for each we found the Lewis Structure and built its ball and stick model.












Conclusion:
According to our results, we accept our hypothesis. Each Lewis Structure drawn had a corresponding ball and stick model that presented the 3-D view of the molecule.
From this lab we have learned the different structures and angles that each molecule result in from the different bonded elements. This could be used in real life by knowing the potential stability of different molecules to further our knowledge and perhaps lead to a future discovery.
Errors that we have come across is that we weren't absolutely sure about the polarity of each molecule.