Molecular polarity

Today we talked about how VSEPR structures can be used to predict macroscale physical properties. The biggest property to look for is molecular polarity. If a molecule or ion has polar bonds that do not all cancel themselves out, the molecule or ion is polar. This influences a number of different properties from melting/boiling point to solubility.

Keep on practicing those Lewis and VSEPR structures. Maybe during your Thanksgiving dinner you could use peas and mashed potatoes to build a series of Lewis structures, then construct VSEPR models using marshmallows and pretzels. Teach your younger siblings and cousins about the repulsive interactions between electrons and the difference between LP-LP, LP-BP and BP-BP interactions. Don't just have a Thanksgiving, make this year a Thinksgiving!

Either that, or just eat too much, visit with family and friends, and relax a bit so you're ready to take on the last couple weeks of the semester.

Have a great weekend, and I'll see you all on Monday.