Summary – Molecular Geometry vs Electron Geometry The key difference between molecular geometry and electron geometry is that molecular geometry is determined by the covalent bonds of the molecule, whereas electron geometry is determined by the electron pairs surrounding the central atom of a molecule. Molecular geometry is the molecular structure of a compound given in the 3D arrangement of atoms whereas electron geometry can be defined as the arrangement of electron pairs around a central atom. Molecular geometry and electron geometry are important terms in basic chemical principles and account for the determination of the chemical properties of molecules. What is the Difference Between Molecular Geometry and Electron Geometry? Therefore, bond angles slightly decrease accordingly. Since electrons are negatively charged, electron pairs around a central atom are repelled by each other, making these electron pairs arrange around a particular atom in such a way that the repulsions they face is minimal. A bond electron pair can be described as a pair of electrons that take part in a chemical bond. Usually, a lone electron pair or a non-bonding electron pair is a pair of valence electrons that are not shared between atoms in a covalent bond. In other words, electron geometry is the 3D structure of electron pairs (either bonding or non-bonding electron pairs) around a central atom. What is Electron Geometry?Įlectron geometry is the arrangement of electron pairs around a central atom. In addition, the position of atoms in the molecule can be determined by the nature of the chemical bonds through which it is connected to the neighboring atoms.

This determination is done based on the distance between nuclei and the concentration of the electron density. Moreover, we can get the molecular geometry of crystalline solids using X-ray crystallography, neutron diffraction, and electron diffraction. These methods can provide us with details about molecular geometry using vibrational and rotational absorbance that is detected by the spectroscopic technique. There are various different methods to determine molecular geometry, including spectroscopic methods such as diffraction methods, IR, microwave, and Raman spectroscopy. Typically, the bond angles between atoms only depend weakly on the rest of the molecule. Molecular geometry shows the shape of the molecule, bond, lengths, bond angles, torsional angles, and other geometric parameters that can determine the position of each atom. Studying and identifying this spatial arrangement of atoms can help us determine the polarity of the compound, reactivity, phase of matter, color, magnetism, and biological activity. In other words, it is the 3D structural arrangement of the atoms in a particular molecule. Molecular geometry is the molecular structure of a compound given in the 3D arrangement of atoms. Summary – Molecular Geometry vs Electron Geometry What is Molecular Geometry? Molecular Geometry and Electron Geometry in Tabular Formĥ. Molecular geometry and electron geometry are important terms in general chemistry and make the basis for the determination of the properties of chemical compounds.

Electron pair geometry