CHEM 1701 – Lab 4 – Lewis Structures & VSEPR Shapes

Chemistry I for Pre-Health Sciences (online)

____/10 marks (6% of final grade)

Rationale
The purpose of this lab is to build molecules to help visualize molecular geometry and identify VSEPR shapes.

Learning objectives
The following learning objectives are covered in this lab.
 CLO 8: Prepare for and conduct laboratory experiments to investigate scientific questions using
appropriate techniques.
 LO 4.9: Draw Lewis structures for covalent compounds
 LO 4.10: Use VSEPR theory to predict the shapes of molecules

Procedure & Observations

 Be sure to review the lab in its entirety before beginning.
 Throughout the lab you are required to photograph parts of your experiment and
include these photos in your final submission.

Handing in your lab

When complete, submit your work to the appropriate folder in DC Connect under Activities  Assignments.

Other notes
 Refer to the rubric provided in DC Connect for details on grading
 A maximum 10% penalty may be applied for spelling, grammar and mechanics.
 Make sure all answers are in full sentences using appropriate scientific terminology.

All materials needed throughout this lab:

 pen or pencil
 blank paper
 toothpicks (or some other small toothpick like object)
 small marshmallows (or some other small, soft object that can be pierced with a toothpick)
 small object to represent electrons (i.e. raisins, dried beans)

CHEM1701 – Lab 4 – Lewis Structures & VSEPR Shapes Page 1 of 5

Experiment – Visualizing Molecules
Discovery question: Lewis structures are one way chemists can visualize the shape and structure of teeny,
tiny molecules. What do the Lewis structures look like for select atoms and molecules? How can we visualize
these structures in 3-dimensions?

Materials
 pen or pencil
 blank paper
 toothpicks (or some other small toothpick like object)
 small marshmallows (or some other small, soft object that can be pierced with a toothpick)
 small object to represent electrons (i.e. raisins, dried beans)

Procedure & Observations

Complete the table below for each molecule listed. Use your toothpicks, marshmallows and other
materials you have to build 3D VSEPR structures for each molecule.

Column 1: Detailed Lewis structure with delta notation [drawn by you]

 here you will draw a detailed Lewis structure for each molecule
 your drawing must include
o bonds between atoms
o any lone electrons
o delta notation including direction of polarity and ∂+, ∂- symbols

Column 2: VSEPR structure [built by you]

 here you will build the molecule to visualize it in 3D space
 your build must include any lone electrons

Column 3: VSEPR name

 identify the correct VSEPR name for the 3D shape

Column 4: Polar or non-polar?

 focus on one bond in the molecule and identify the bond as polar or non-polar

NOTES:
 All work must be done by you. Internet images cannot be used.
 My writing is messy and its okay if yours is too 😊 Try your best to make your
work legible. Unfortunately, if I cannot read it, I cannot grade it.

CHEM1701 – Lab 4 – Lewis Structures & VSEPR Shapes Page 2 of 5

 Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4
Detailed Lewis structure with delta VSEPR structure VSEPR Polar or non-
Molecule
notation [drawn by you] [built by you] name polar?
NOTE: You can use the “Draw” function in Word or NOTE: The oxygen atom is colored here but
draw by hand on a piece of paper, photograph and coloring is not required for the molecules you build.
insert the image.

H2O
[example The O – H bond
bent
completed is polar
for you]

NOTE: If you do not need the photo place holder

provided, you can delete it
Non-polar as
two iodine
atoms equally
share two
I2 linear electrons due to
its need for an
octet

Polar because
O forms two
bonds with Cl at
Cl2O bent an angle

CHEM1701 – Lab 4 – Lewis Structures & VSEPR Shapes Page 3 of 5

 Polar as
chlorine has a
higher
BrCl linear electronegativity
than bromine

Polar due to the

presence of
lone pair on
nitrogen atom
NF3 tetrahedral and difference
in
electronegativity
of fluorine

The C - Cl
CCl4 tetrahedral bonds are polar

CHEM1701 – Lab 4 – Lewis Structures & VSEPR Shapes Page 4 of 5

Health Connection
Molecule polarity is connected to how the body absorbs and excretes harmful chemicals.

 Fat molecules are non-polar. As a result, fat molecules can absorb harmful non-polar chemicals. Molecules absorbed this way are
called “fat soluble”. This can be dangerous because the toxic chemicals will only be released once the fat tissue is broken down.
Therefore, these toxic chemicals can stay in the body for long periods of time causing toxicity.
 Water molecules are polar. As a result, water molecules will absorb polar molecules. Molecules absorbed this way are called “water
soluble”. Toxic chemicals that are water soluble can be less harmful as after the water absorbs the chemical, the water can be
easily excreted (i.e. in urine) carrying away the toxic chemicals with it.

Many of the B vitamins are polar.

1) Would you expect the B vitamins to be fat soluble or water soluble once in the body? Why? Comment in 1-2 sentences.

I would expect B vitamins to be water soluble once in the body. Water soluble vitamins dissolve in
water and are not stored by the body. Since they are eliminated in urine, we require a continuous
daily supply in our diet.

2) Would you expect to see B vitamins in a urine sample? Why or why not? Comment in 1-2 sentences.

You cannot expect to see B vitamins in a urine sample. Since it is water soluble, the vitamin
dissolves in water meaning it doesn’t get stored in the body. This means it would be eliminated in
urine.

CHEM1701 – Lab 4 – Lewis Structures & VSEPR Shapes Page 5 of 5