Molecular Structures - Tetrahedral Shape

Molecules of methane, CH4, ammonia, NH3, and water, H2O, all have 4 electron groups around their central atom, so they all have a tetrahedral shape, which yields bond angles of about 109.5°. For CH4 molecules, all 4 groups are bond groups. The NH3 molecules have 3 bond groups and 1 lone pair, and the H2O molecules have 2 bond groups and 2 lone pairs. 

 

Methane, CH4

Ammonia, NH3

Water, H2O

 

Do the following to manipulate the molecules.

Click and hold the left mouse button and move the mouse to rotate a molecule.

Shift + click and hold the left mouse button and move the mouse to zoom in or out.

Click the right mouse button to see the menu.

Shift + click and hold the right mouse button and move the mouse to rotate in the plane of the screen.

Ctrl + click and hold the right mouse button and move the mouse to move in the plane of the screen.

Copyright 2005 Mark Bishop markbishop@preparatorychemistry.com