StudyBrixFree worksheets, study guides and courses

Chemistry · Grades 9–12

Bonding, shape and polarity

Separate bond polarity from the polarity of a whole molecule.

Make a worksheet

Learn the idea

Covalent bond

A simple covalent bond model describes shared electron density between atoms.

Electron domains

For introductory VSEPR, electron domains around a center influence geometry; lone pairs also matter.

Polarity

A molecule’s net dipole depends on both bond dipoles and geometry.

Conditions

The simple shape model is a useful approximation, not a literal stationary picture of electrons.

Worked examples

What does an introductory covalent-bond model emphasize?

Covalent bonding involves electron sharing.

Shared electron density.

CO₂ is linear with equal opposite C=O bond dipoles. What is its net dipole in this model?

The equal dipoles cancel by symmetry.

Zero.

Check your understanding

  1. Why can water be polar despite having two identical O–H bonds?

    1. Its oxygen nucleus disappears.
    2. Its bent shape prevents the bond dipoles from cancelling.
    3. All two-bond molecules are nonpolar.

  2. In the simple model of methane CH₄, how many bonding electron domains surround carbon?

  3. What ideal arrangement belongs to four electron domains around a center?

    1. Tetrahedral.
    2. Linear.
    3. Square with no other possibilities.

Answers and marking notes

Answers and marking notes
  1. Its bent shape prevents the bond dipoles from cancelling.

    The vector arrangement of the bond dipoles matters.

  2. 4

    Four C–H single bonds make four domains.

  3. Tetrahedral.

    The standard four-domain VSEPR arrangement is tetrahedral.

Further reading and review references

These are reference links, not copied exercises, institutional endorsement or proof of independent review.

Independent educational review required. Grade bands are approximate; these are not officially aligned curricula.