Molecule Shapes
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Original Sim and Translations |
Topics
- Molecules
- VSEPR
- Lone Pairs
- Bonds
Description
Explore molecule shapes by building molecules in 3D! How does molecule shape change with different numbers of bonds and electron pairs? Find out by adding single, double or triple bonds and lone pairs to the central atom. Then, compare the model to real molecules!
Sample Learning Goals
- Recognize that molecule geometry is due to repulsions between electron groups.
- Recognize the difference between electron and molecular geometry.
- Name molecule and electron geometries for molecules with up to six electron groups surrounding a central atom.
- Compare bond angle predictions from the VSEPR-based model to real molecules.
- Describe how lone pairs affect bond angles in real molecules.
Teacher Tips
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Overview of sim controls, model simplifications, and insights into student thinking ( PDF ). |
Teacher-Submitted Activities
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Authors | Level | Type | Subject |
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| Intermolecular Forces and Molecules - Interactive Lecture Demonstration |
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Ted Clark, Julia Chamberlain | UG-Intro | Demo | Chemistry |
| Molecule Shapes - Clicker Questions |
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Yuen-ying Carpenter, Robert Parson, Trish Loeblein | UG-Intro | MC | Chemistry |
| Molecule Shapes - Guided-Inquiry Activity |
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Timothy Herzog, Emily Moore | UG-Intro | Guided | Chemistry |
| Molecule Shapes- inquiry |
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Trish Loeblein | UG-Intro HS |
HW Lab CQs |
Chemistry |
| Molecular Geometry Flash Cards |
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Alycia Palmer | HS UG-Intro |
Guided | Chemistry | |
| How do PhET simulations fit in my middle school program? |
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Sarah Borenstein | MS | Other | Earth Science Biology Chemistry Physics |
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| Alignment of PhET sims with NGSS |
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Trish Loeblein | HS | Other | Chemistry Biology Physics Earth Science |
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| PhET Sims Aligned to the Chemistry Curriculum |
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Julia Chamberlain | HS UG-Intro |
Other | Chemistry | |
| MS and HS TEK to Sim Alignment | Elyse Zimmer | MS HS |
Other | Chemistry Physics Biology |
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| Molecule Design Challenge Pre-Activity | Ashley Webb | HS | Other Guided |
Other Chemistry |
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| VSEPR and Polarity | Jeff Drach | HS | Guided | Chemistry | ||
| Student Guide for PhET - Molecule Shapes in html5 | Brian Libby | HS | Guided HW |
Chemistry | ||
| Molecule Shapes BASICS | Aaron Keller | UG-Intro HS |
Guided Lab |
Chemistry | ||
| Molecule Shapes Advanced | Aaron Keller | HS UG-Adv UG-Intro |
Guided Lab |
Chemistry | ||
| PhET Shapes Inquiry Lab | Michael Kwasny | HS | Guided Lab |
Chemistry | ||
| Preguntas de razonamiento para todas las simulaciones HTML5 |
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Diana López | K-5 UG-Adv HS MS UG-Intro Grad |
Discuss HW |
Chemistry Mathematics Physics Astronomy |
| Geometria molecular | Ana Luísa Carneirinho | HS | HW Guided |
Chemistry | ||
| Geometria Molecular | Eduardo da Silva Firmino e Caroline de Goes Sampaio | HS MS |
Guided | Chemistry |
Browse legacy activities.
The new HTML5 sims can run on iPads and Chromebooks, as well as PC, Mac, and Linux systems.
iPad:
iOS 11+ Safari
iPad compatible sims
Android:
Not officially supported. If you are using the HTML5 sims on Android, we recommend using the latest version of Google Chrome.
Chromebook:
Latest version of Google Chrome
The HTML5 and Flash PhET sims are supported on all Chromebooks.
Chromebook compatible sims
Windows Systems:
Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer 11, latest version of Firefox, latest version of Google Chrome.
Macintosh Systems:
macOS 10.9.5+, Safari 9+, latest version of Chrome.
Linux Systems:
Not officially supported. Please contact phethelp@colorado.edu with troubleshooting issues.
| Design Team | Third-party Libraries | Thanks To |
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