Principal Sponsors
Makes grants to address the most serious social and environmental problems facing society, where risk capital, responsibly invested, may make a difference over time.
National Science Foundation
An independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 to promote the progress of science.
King Saud University seeks to become a leader in educational and technological innovation, scientific discovery and creativity through fostering an atmosphere of intellectual inspiration and partnership for the prosperity of society.
The O'Donnell Foundation is devoted to building model programs to enhance the quality of education.
Molecule Shapes
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!
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Teaching Resources
Main Topics
- Molecules
- VSEPR
- Bonds
- Lone Pairs
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.
Tips for Teachers
The teacher's guide (pdf) contains tips created by the PhET team.
Teaching Ideas
| Title | Authors | Level | Type | Updated |
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Molecule Shapes - Clicker Questions
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Yuen-ying Carpenter, Robert Parson, Trish Loeblein | UG-Intro | CQs | 11/5/14 |
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Intermolecular Forces and Molecules - Interactive Lecture Demonstration
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Ted Clark, Julia Chamberlain | UG-Intro | Demo | 11/5/14 |
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Molecule Shapes - Guided-Inquiry Activity
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Timothy Herzog, Emily Moore | UG-Intro | Other | 11/2/14 |
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Molecule Shapes- inquiry
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Trish Loeblein | UG-Intro HS |
HW CQs Lab |
2/19/12 |
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Concept Questions for Chemistry using PhET
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Trish Loeblein | UG-Intro MS HS |
CQs | 7/9/13 |
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PhET Sims Aligned to the Chemistry Curriculum
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Julia Chamberlain | HS UG-Intro |
Other | 7/15/14 |
| Molecular Geometry and Polarity | Ted Clark | UG-Intro | HW Lab |
7/14/12 |
| Molecule/Electron Shapes | Robert Anderson | HS | Lab | 2/17/12 |
| 분자구조 SIM 사용지침서 | 이화국(Wha Kuk Lee) | HS UG-Intro |
Demo Lab |
5/10/13 |
You can submit your own ideas and activities.
Related Simulations
Translated Versions:
Software Requirements
| Windows | Macintosh | Linux |
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Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7 Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later
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OS 10.5 or later Sun Java 1.5.0_19 or later
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Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later
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Credits
| Design Team | Third-party Libraries | Thanks To |
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