🧪 The shapes of molecules

Unit 2 · Molecules & everyday nano · 9 min

Atoms bond into molecules, and shape decides behaviour. Water (H₂O) is bent (about 104.5°), so it has a positive and a negative end and dissolves salt and sugar; CO₂ is straight. Electron pairs push apart as far as possible, which creates these shapes.

Words in this lesson

• 分子 (fēnzǐ) — molecule
• 形状 (xíngzhuàng) — shape

Project: Make water and CO₂ models from modelling clay and toothpicks and compare their shapes.