Shapes
of molecules
The
bond lengths and bond angles of various molecules can be
determined experimentally. The values so obtained give us
an idea about the shapes of molecules. The covalent molecules
have definite shapes because the covalent bonds are formed
along a particular direction. Thus, we can say that the
covalent bond is directional in nature.
Note that this is in contrast to the ionic compounds in
which the electrostatic forces of attraction are felt equally
strongly in all the directions. Some examples of common
covalent molecules and their shapes are given below in Table
5.4.
|
Name
|
Structure
|
Shape
|
| |
.. ..
|
|
|
Oxygen(O2)
|
:O=O:
|
linear
|
|
Nitrogen(N2)
|
:N=N:
|
linear
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
