Memorizing molecular geometries?

[HenryH]

How do you guys generally go about memorizing molecular geometries? I'm wondering if there are any "tricks" to doing it quickly, because I have a test that encompasses these subjects next week, and it would be a good idea to learn this stuff for the DAT next year, anyways.

It just seems like there's so much to it that I don't even know where to begin..."If there's this many bonds, but this many non-bonding electrons, then do this molecular geometry......If there are the same amount of bonds, but this number of non-bonding electrons, use this one..."; bleh, it seems so confusing to learn...

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[LNinlove]

I have a pretty good sheet I got from one of my teachers...it makes it really simple...pm me and Ill scan and send it to you...

 

[DDS4tehwin]

Would you mind sending me a copy as well? Thanks.

 

[jackbauer!]

there is really no easy way IMO. it's just memorization.... however, if the central atom has no lone pairs of electrons around it then the geometry is the same as the shape (i.e. CH4 is tetrahedral shape & geometry, SF6 is octahedral shape & geometry)--that is the only "trick" i know.

jb!🙂