Molecule Shapes
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Original Sim and Translations |
Topics
- VSEPR
- Lone Pairs
- Bonds
- Bond angle
- Molecules
- Molecular Geometry
- Electron Geometry
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 ). |
Video Primer
Teacher-Submitted Activities
Concept questions for Physics using PhET (Inquiry Based) |
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Trish Loeblein | UG-Intro HS |
MC | Physics |
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 | HS UG-Intro |
HW CQs Lab |
Chemistry |
Molecular Geometry Flash Cards |
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Alycia Palmer | UG-Intro HS |
Guided | Chemistry | |
Alignment of PhET sims with NGSS |
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Trish Loeblein updated by Diana López | HS MS |
Other | Physics Biology Chemistry Earth Science |
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How do PhET simulations fit in my middle school program? |
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Sarah Borenstein | MS | Other | Chemistry Physics Earth Science Biology |
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PhET Sims Aligned to the Chemistry Curriculum |
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Julia Chamberlain | UG-Intro HS |
Other | Chemistry | |
Molecular Geometry Activity | William Ferguson | HS | Lab Guided Remote |
Chemistry | ||
Using the Molecular Shapes PhET Simulation: Concept Development for Understanding Molecular Geometry and Shape | Jack Eichler, Ellen Yezierski | UG-Intro | Guided | Chemistry | ||
MS and HS TEK to Sim Alignment | Elyse Zimmer | HS MS |
Other | Biology Chemistry Physics |
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It’s All in the Shape: II. Discovering the Behavior of Polar Molecules | Scott Sinex | HS UG-Adv UG-Intro |
Remote Guided Lab |
Chemistry | ||
Molecule Design Challenge Pre-Activity | Ashley Webb | HS | Guided Other |
Chemistry Other |
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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 | HS UG-Intro |
Lab Guided |
Chemistry | ||
Molecule Shapes Advanced | Aaron Keller | UG-Intro UG-Adv HS |
Lab Guided |
Chemistry | ||
PhET Shapes Inquiry Lab | Michael Kwasny | HS | Lab Guided |
Chemistry | ||
SECUNDARIA: Alineación PhET con programas de la SEP México (2011 y 2017) |
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Diana López | MS HS |
Other | Mathematics Physics Biology Chemistry |
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PREPARATORIA: Alineación de PhET con programas de la DGB México (2017) |
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Diana López | UG-Intro HS |
Other | Physics Chemistry Mathematics |
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Preguntas de razonamiento para todas las simulaciones HTML5 |
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Diana López | MS UG-Intro K-5 HS UG-Adv Grad |
HW Discuss |
Mathematics Astronomy Physics Chemistry |
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Geometria molecular | Ana Luísa Carneirinho | HS | HW Guided |
Chemistry | ||
Geometria Molecular | Virna Pereira de Araújo e Ana Karine Portela Vasconcelos | HS | Guided Lab |
Chemistry | ||
Geometria Molecular | Eduardo da Silva Firmino e Caroline de Goes Sampaio | HS MS |
Guided | Chemistry |
Browse legacy activities.
HTML5 sims can run on iPads and Chromebooks, as well as PC, Mac, and Linux systems.
iPad:
iOS 12+ 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, latest version of Firefox, latest version of Google Chrome.
Macintosh Systems:
macOS 10.13+, Safari 13+, 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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