Explore the Molecule Shapes
Drag bonds and lone pairs onto a central atom, rotate it in 3D, and explore real molecules. Free, no signup, runs in your browser.
- Free to use
- No signup
- Nothing to install
- Runs in your browser
See it in action
The Molecule Shapes with sample data entered and the result showing.
What is the Molecule Shapes?
Drag bonds and lone pairs onto a central atom, rotate it in 3D, and explore real molecules. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.
Molecular shape controls how enzymes work, how drugs fit receptors, why water is polar, and how materials behave.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
Electron groups repel each other and spread as far apart as possible.
Lone pairs take up more room than bonds and squeeze the bond angles.
Molecular shape is named by the atoms only, while electron geometry counts lone pairs too.
Drag two single bonds in, then add two lone pairs. What shape do you get?
Turn on Show Bond Angles and Molecule Geometry, then add a lone pair to CH4-like models and watch the angles shrink.
Switch to Real Molecules and compare H2O, NH3 and CH4. All are tetrahedral electron geometry with different shapes.
Used for
Pick one to see how it fits.
Molecules learners
Chemistry and biology students learning bonding and molecular shape, and teachers who need an interactive 3D model instead of a textbook drawing.
Try it freeTeachers
For teachers: project the Molecule Shapes (VSEPR) on the board, let students predict the result, then run it together and test this: Turn on Show Bond Angles and Molecule Geometry, then add a lone pair to CH4-like models and watch the angles shrink. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Try it freeHow it compares
A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.
| This simulation | Textbook diagram | |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive | Drag, tap and change settings | Fixed picture |
| Install | Nothing to install | Not needed |
| Cost | Free to use | Depends on the book |
Questions people ask
What does VSEPR stand for?
Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion. Electron groups around a central atom repel each other, which sets the shape of the molecule.
Why is water bent and not linear?
Oxygen has two bonds and two lone pairs. The four groups arrange tetrahedrally, so the two atoms form a bent shape of about 104.5°.
Is the Molecule Shapes (VSEPR) free to use?
Yes. The Molecule Shapes (VSEPR) is free, needs no signup or download and runs in your web browser. It is part of the Molecules group of AZRS simulations.
Does the Molecule Shapes (VSEPR) work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The Molecule Shapes (VSEPR) takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can drag its objects with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.
How do I use the Molecule Shapes?
1. In the Molecule Shapes (VSEPR), press "+ Single bond", "+ Double bond", "+ Triple bond", "+ Lone pair" to start, reset or change what is happening. 2. Start with this experiment: Drag two single bonds in, then add two lone pairs. What shape do you get?. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the Molecule Shapes (VSEPR) responds in real time. 3. Change one setting at a time and watch which readout moves, then compare it with this idea: Electron groups repel each other and spread as far apart as possible.
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Try the Molecule Shapes now
Drag bonds and lone pairs onto a central atom, rotate it in 3D, and explore real. Free to use.
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