Shapes of Chemical Bonding: Sample Problems

Try each one on paper first. Only then reveal the solution — reading a worked answer you never attempted teaches you almost nothing.

1. 1. Determine the shape and bond angle of SO₂.

   Show solution

2. 2. Is CCl₄ polar or nonpolar?

   Show solution

3. 3. Why is H₂O polar but CO₂ is not?

   Show solution

Al says…

Draw the Lewis structure first, every single time. Shapes come from electron groups, and you can't count what you haven't drawn.