Molecular Structure Exploration

Name:

Date:

📚 Part 1: Multiple Choice

WALT: We are learning to identify types of chemical bonds and basic molecular shapes.

1. What type of bond is formed when two atoms share electrons?

Ionic

Covalent

Metallic

Hydrogen

2. Which molecule has a linear shape?

H2O

CO2

NH3

CH4

3. Which bond is most likely to be polar covalent?

H–H

Na–Cl

H–O

C–C

4. Check all statements that describe covalent substances:

Often have low melting points

Conduct electricity as solids

Can be insoluble in water

Formed by sharing electrons

✏️ Part 2: Short Answers & Activities

WALT: We are learning to represent molecules using dot-and-cross diagrams and explain polarity in simple terms.

5. Draw a dot-and-cross diagram for a water molecule (H2O). Show lone pairs on oxygen and label the bond angle.

6. Explain in one sentence why carbon dioxide (CO2) is non-polar even though each C=O bond is polar.

7. Fill the blank:

When the electronegativity difference between two atoms is less than ________ the bond is usually considered covalent.

8. Match each molecule to its correct shape (draw a line):

A. CH4

B. H2O

C. CO2

D. NH3

1. Trigonal pyramidal

2. Tetrahedral

3. Bent (angular)

4. Linear

Differentiation strategies: For learners who need more support, provide molecular model kits or printed templates to build shapes; allow sentence starters for explanations (e.g. "CO2 is non-polar because..."). For learners working at greater depth, ask them to calculate approximate bond polarities using electronegativity values and predict molecular dipoles.

Extension activities: Research and write a short paragraph on resonance in benzene or investigate how polar and non-polar solvents affect solubility, and bring one real-world example to discuss.